THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


BY  THE  SAME  AUTHOR 
RHYTHMIC  STUDIES  OP  THE  WORD,  VOL.  I 

I2mo.     Net,  75  cents 


Rhythmic   Studies   of 
The  Word 


By 
J.  M.  CAVANESS 

Introduction  by  Bishop 
W.  O.  SHEPARD 


THE  ABINGDON  PRESS 

NEW  YORK  CINCINNATI 


Copyright,  1916,  by 
J.   M.   Cavaneu 


s 


To   HER 

WHOSE  SOUL  is   THE  HOME  or    WOMANLY  VIRTUES, 

WHOSE  LOVE  is  THE  CROWN  or  MY  LIFE, 

I   DEDICATE  THIS  VOLUME. 


G12785 

UBRARY 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

INTRODUCTION 1 1 

AUTHOR'S  NOTE 13 

INSPIRATION 15 

"IN  THE  BEGINNING" 19 

SUBDUE  THE  EARTH 20 

THE  INFINITE  VISION 21 

IF  THOU  ART  NEAR 21 

ABOVE  THE  CLOUDS 22 

ENOUGH  FOR  ME ^ 23 

LEAN  HARD,  MY  CHILD 24 

THE  DEATH  OF  MOSES 25 

NOT  As  MAN  SEETH 26 

"WHO  GIVETH  SONGS  IN  THE  NIGHT" 28 

THE  ETERNAL  EQUIPOISE 29 

LOVE  AND  TRUTH 30 

HE  RESTORETH  MY  SOUL 31 

WOULDST  THOU  SEE  AN  ANGEL? 32 

CHRIST  ALL  AND  IN  ALL 33 

GUIDE  ME 34 

THE  HEART  OF  LIVINGSTONE 35 

THE  LORD  GOD  Is  A  SUN 36 

OPEN  THOU  MINE  EYES 36 

OPEN  THY  WINDOWS 37 

SOWING  AND  REAPING 38 

OUT  OF  THE  DEPTHS 39 

MY  GIFT 40 

THE  LIVING  SEED 41 

DELAYED 42 

ALONE 43 

THE  NEW  HEAVEN  AND  NEW  EARTH 44 

PEACE 45 

THE  SUNRISE  OF  THE  SOUL 46 

THE  POWER  BEHIND  THE  GUNS 47 

7 


PAGE 

INTROSPECTION 48 

INFINITY 49 

WHO  HATH  DESPISED  THE  DAY  OF  SMALL  THINGS? 50 

THINE  AND  MINE 51 

THE  STAR  OF  BETHLEHEM 52 

"OUR  FATHER" 53 

THE  LILIES 54 

THE  HIGHEST  GOOD 56 

THE  MOTE  AND  THE  BEAM 57 

LIFE'S  SEA 58 

THE  SEED  AND  THE  FRUIT 59 

THE  Two  COMPANIONS 60 

THE  LOST 62 

LIFE'S  HIGH  NOON 63 

"UNTO  ONE  OF  THE  LEAST  OF  THESE" 64 

"YE  DID  IT  UNTO  ME" 65 

WOMAN 66 

THE  TRAITOR 68 

THE  RISEN  LORD 69 

IN  GADARA 70 

TRUST 71 

WHY  THIS  WASTE? 71 

IN  A  MANGER  LOWLY 72 

0  ANGELS,  COME  AGAIN 73 

THE  PRINCE  OF  PEACE 75 

OWED  MUCH,  FORGIVEN  MUCH 76 

"WHO  TOUCHED  ME?" 78 

THE  JERICHO  ROAD 78 

DISAPPOINTMENT 79 

1  WILL  ARISE,  AND  Go  TO  MY  FATHER 80 

AT  His  GATE 81 

WHAT  HAVE  I  DONE? 82 

"!F  THOU  HADST  KNOWN" 83 

CHRIST  BEFORE  PILATE 84 

EASTER  MORN 86 

THE  WORD  MADE  FLESH 88 

LOVE  INCARNATE 89 

THE  SUPREME  GIFT 92 

8 


PAGE 

To  THE  UTTERMOST 93 

AT  His  FEET 95 

WHEN  MY  SPIRIT  ONCE  Is  FREE 95 

HASTE  THEE,  FRIEND 96 

I  NEED  THEE 97 

ABIDE  IN  ME 98 

THE  PEACE  OF  CHRIST 99 

ABIDE,  DEAR  CHILD,  IN  ME 100 

THE  SEAMLESS  COAT 101 

NONE  OTHER  NAME 101 

"  THE  SAME  Is  DESERT  " 102 

SEEKERS  AFTER  GOD 103 

THE  SOUL'S  AWAKENING 106 

LYDIA 108 

THE  BROTHERHOOD  OF  MAN 109 

THE  DIVINE  POTTER 1 1 1 

IT  WON'T  BE  LONG in 

RICHES H2 

GOD  ALL  AND  IN  ALL 113 

FAITH,  HOPE,  LOVE 114 

THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST 115 

LOVE'S  LAST  TOKEN 1 16 

AWAKE,  MY  SOUL 117 

"CHRIST  IN  You" 1 18 

THE  HOUR  OF  PRAYER 119 

CONTENTMENT 121 

FORMALISM 122 

TOTAL  DEPRAVITY 124 

OBEDIENCE  THRU  SUFFERING 125 

THE  GOD  OF  PATIENCE 126 

DAY  OF  VENGEANCE 127 

HATE 128 

FEAR 129 

LIFE 130 

THE  LORD'S  DAY 131 

THE  NEW  NAME 131 

JESUS  AT  THE  DOOR 133 

THE  LAMB  OF  GOD 135 

9 


INTRODUCTION 

^^ 

The  author  of  this  volume  has  most  fitly  been  called 
"The  Poet  Laureate  of  Kansas."  His  verse  has  the 
wideness  and  freedom  and  breeziness  of  the  great 
State  of  prairie,  no-compromise,  and  spiritual  pro 
gress. 

He  writes  out  of  a  great  experience  in  freedom  and 
surpassing  peace.  He  speaks  out  of  full  knowledge  and 
a  full  heart.  His  words  are  the  rich  expression  of  a 
life  of  faith  and  deep  conviction. 

Lovers  of  music  and  courage  and  strength  will  be 
gladdened  by  this,  his  second  volume  of  Rhythmic 
Studies  of  the  Word.  It  will  make  days  fuller  of 
service  and  nights  sweeter  in  peace. 

From  my  highly  prized  acquaintance  with  the 
author,  and  because  of  its  mission  to  strengthen  and 
comfort,  and  because  it  sings  in  beautiful  and  winning 
words  "The  Old  Good  News,"  I  count  myself  priv 
ileged  to  write  on  the  front  page  my  appreciation,  and 
to  be  joined  in  a  small  way  with  the  author  in  this 
message  of  faith  and  cheer. 

W.  O.  SHEPARD. 

Episcopal  Residence, 

Kansas  City,  Kansas. 


II 


AUTHOR'S  NOTE 

I  would  be  sadly  wanting  in  all  sense  of  apprecia 
tion  if  I  did  not  feel  highly  gratified  at  the  favor 
accorded  my  first  volume  of  Rhythmic  Studies.  Be 
cause  it  was  so  kindly  received  and  liberally  pur 
chased  I  have  ventured  to  issue  a  second  volume.  I 
hope  it  will  meet  with  increased  favor. 


INSPIRATION 

I  am  the  sole  sufficiency  that  dwells 
And  rules  in  all  the  universe  and  man ; 

That  broods,  creates,  subdues,  evolves,  foretells, 
According  to  the  heaven-predestined  plan. 

And  I  was  present  at  Creation's  birth, 

Scooped  out  the  seas,  and  lifted  mountain  range; 

Marked  out  the  bounds  of  nations  on  the  earth; 
The  only  arbiter  of  time  and  change. 

I  oft  appear  in  insubstantial  form, 

In  guises  many  make  my  purpose  known; 

I  speak  in  tree,  in  dream,  in  star,  in  storm, 
To  men  in  mass,  or  in  the  mount  alone. 

In  my  high  name  the  patriarchs  of  old 
Uplifted  standards  of  the  holy  life ; 

And  saw  the  future,  age  on  age,  unfold, 
Till  righteousness  forever  banish  strife. 

Out  of  the  whirlwind  I  proclaimed  to  Job 
My  nature,  and  the  thunders  of  my  power;    . 

And  he  confessed  me,  'neath  my  rags  or  robe, 
And  felt  the  beauty  of  the  wayside  flower. 

The  patriarch  Abraham  discerned  my  light, 
And  Moses  saw  me  in  the  bush  ablaze ; 

King  David  lured  from  me  the  wings  of  flight, 
To  mountain  peaks  of  prophecy  and  praise. 

Sad  Jeremiah  hailed  my  perfect  day, 
Approaching  in  its  splendor  from  afar; 

Isaiah  viewed  the  high  and  holy  Way, 

Made  glorious  by  the  bright  and  morning  star. 

15 


Paul,  the  apostle  of  the  visioned  Truth, 
Had  fellowship  with  me  in  paradise ; 

Allied  to  men  by  ties  of  blood  and  ruth, 

He  bore  the  cross  of  shame — and  paid  the  price. 

In  the  dark  days  of  pestilence  and  woe, 
When  rivers  as  vast  cemeteries  ran, 

In  my  name  Tauler  was  alert  to  show 

Divine  compassion  to  plague-stricken  man. 

Wise  Gutenburg  grew  weary  of  the  night 
Of  ignorance  that  settled  on  the  race; 

And  with  an  eye  of  faith  he  caught  the  light 
Of  knowledge  radiating  from  my  face. 

In  weary  wanderings  from  court  to  court, 
With  visions  of  great  continents  afar, 

Altho  the  butt  of  raillery  and  sport, 
Columbus  followed  my  unerring  star. 

When  Luther  heard  the  music  of  my  voice, 
And  tuned  his  harp  to  choral  ministry, 

He  cried  his  theses  mid  the  conflict's  noise, 
That  shook  the  earth  beneath  the  papal  see. 

In  stagnant  atmosphere  that  long  was  chilled 

By  formalism,  Wesley  felt  the  fire 
That  I  had  kindled,  and  his  heart  was  thrilled 

With  zeal  for  me  that  savored  not  of  ire. 

And  when  the  torch  of  Liberty  I  lit, 

The  luster  of  its  flame  was  caught  by  one, 

In  courage  wise  its  blessings  to  transmit 
To  western  worlds — immortal  Washington. 

When  once  the  citadel  of  Freedom  seemed 
To  totter  to  its  base,  and  doomed  to  fall, 

Brave  men  who  long  of  brotherhood  had  dreamed 
Now  sprang  to  answer  my  insistent  call. 
16 


Soon  Beecher  learned  the  secret  of  my  soul, 
And  Phillips  flashed  it  to  his  f ellowmen ; 

While  Garrison  made  plain  the  mystic  scroll, 
And  Lincoln  sealed  it  with  an  iron  pen. 

Long  centuries  ago  I  spoke  the  word — 
The  poor  of  earth  shall  be  oppressed  no  more ; 

That  Love,  eternal  Love,  and  not  the  sword, 
Shall  break  the  bars  of  every  prison  door. 

With  burning  spirit  Willard,  free  as  air, 
The  impact  felt  of  forces  ruled  by  me ; 

And  bound  to  men  and  women  in  despair, 

Essayed  to  break  their  chains,  and  make  them  free. 

The  bards  that  to  the  endless  years  belong, 

When  kneeling  at  my  feet  were  'neath  the  spell, 

Melodious  and  sweet  with  heavenly  song, 
That  in  their  mighty  odes  and  lyrics  swell. 

Into  the  ears  of  Franklin,  Bell,  and  Howe, 
I  whispered  laws  for  ages  long  concealed; 

And  to  my  mandates  they  were  quick  to  bow, 
And  bless  mankind  in  home  and  shop  and  field. 

Old  Mother  Earth,  the  sun,  the  sea,  the  air, 
Conceal  my  wondrous  elements  of  power; 

And  ere  my  needy  children  breathe  a  prayer, 
I  have  my  servants  ready  for  the  hour. 

The  wizard  Edison  exalts  the  race, 
Marconi  joins  all  continents  in  one; 

While  seers  and  statesmen,  thru  my  gifts  and  grace, 
Will  build  a  peace  enduring  as  the  sun. 

And  heretics  in  name,  endowed  with  speech, 
With  wit  and  satire,  given  to  kindly  deed, 

I  have  ordained  the  erring  church  to  teach 

The  wrongs  of  dogma  and  the  false  in  creed. 

17 


All  men  are  but  the  tools  and  instruments 
I  use  to  banish  sickness,  woe  and  dearth; 

Exalting  man  to  moral  excellence, 

And  making  new  the  heavens  and  the  earth. 

By  me  and  in  me  all  things  live  and  move, 
In  sea  or  air,  above  or  'neath  the  sod; 

But  few  discern  in  me  the  image — Love; 
While  all  should  know  the  superscription — God. 


18 


"IN  THE  BEGINNING" 
Gen.  i :  i 

The  prophets  and  seers  in  the  uncounted  ages 
Have  told  us  of  marvelous  events  to  come, 

Of  deed?  that  are  written  on  history's  pages, 
But  who  has  been  able  to  see  thru  the  gloom — 

The  clouds  that  enshroud  the  dim  primals  of  time, 

When  worlds  leaped  to  orbits  by  fiat  sublime  ? 

Far  back  in  the  past,  so  mysterious  and  misty, 

Ere  cycles  and  eras  millennial  began, 
Who  marked  out  the  pathway,  in  labyrinth  and  vista, 

Of  planets  that  move  in  august  caravan? 
Whose  infinite  wisdom,  whose  almighty  hand, 
Vast  systems  on  systems  created  and  planned? 

What  power  unseen  and  what  forces  dynamic, 
From  nebulae  floating  in  unbounded  space, 

Evolved  all  the  splendor  of  scenes  panoramic, 
That  shone  in  their  luster  on  nature's  young  face? 

And  why  should  one  planet  be  strangely  ill-starred, 

By  edict  unholy  its  beauty  be  marred  ? 

Before  time  began  not  a  star,  in  its  pity, 
Saw  battlefields  gory,  or  rivers  of  crime, 

For  demons  incarnate,  in  forest  or  city, 

Earth  had  not  polluted  with  poisonous  slime; 

Unknown  and  undreamed  by  the  seraphs  above 

Was  evil,  decreed  to  be  conquered  thru  love. 

Eternity  has  no  beginning  or  ending; 

'Tis  time  that  defines  the  duration  of  sin; 
And  signs  unequivocal  now  are  portending, 

To  usher  out  sorrows  that  time  ushered  in ; 
For  since  its  foundation  the  Lamb  has  been  slain 
That  takes  from  the  world  all  its  travail  and  pain. 

19 


SUBDUE  THE  EARTH 
Gen.  i :  28 

The  oldest  God-given  command, 
Proclaimed  to  the  race  at  its  birth, 

That  only  the  wise  understand, 

Still  bids  us,  "Subdue  all  the  earth." 

Subdue  the  land,  water  and  air, 
The  beasts  seeking  power  and  pelf; 

For  conquest  o'er  all  these  prepare 
By  first  overcoming  thyself. 

The  student  who  does  not  aspire, 
And  aim  at  some  wonderful  goal, 

Knows  not  the  constraint  of  desire, 
And  lacks  in  the  kingship  of  soul. 

And  he  who  plays  shirk  in  the  school, 
Will  shirk  in  the  business  of  life ; 

He  who  hopes  to  achieve  is  a  fool, 
If  he  joys  not  in  effort  and  strife. 

Fierce  lions  may  lie  near  the  path, 
That  leads  to  the  end  to  be  gained  ; 

But  fear  not  their  power  or  wrath; 
Nor  quail  if  you  find  them  unchained. 

'Tis  he,  and  he  only,  succeeds 

Who  waits  not  the  opening  of  gates, 

But  tears  them  from  hinges,  nor  heeds 
Nor  dreads  the  blind  fury  of  fates. 

Break  thru  the  resistible  bars 

That  hinder  your  spirit's  far  flight, 

And  carry  your  head  'mid  the  stars, 
Till  crowned  with  a  halo  of  light. 
20 


THE  INFINITE  VISION 
Gen.  16: 13 

O  Lord,  Thou  seest  in  one  bud 
A  landscape  bright  with  flowers, 

And  in  the  distant,  floating  mists 
Abundant  April  showers. 

Thou  seest  in  one  acorn's  burr 
A  mighty  forest  swinging 

Her  leafy  banners  on  the  breeze, 
And  birds  within  them  singing. 

And  Thou  beholdest  in  the  rill 

The  broad,  majestic  river, 
Descending  to  the  surging  seas 

That  cease  their  flowing  never. 

Thou  who  canst  see  in  one  sear  leaf 
The  winter's  long  to-morrow, 

Beholdest  also  in  one  tear 
The  spirit's  secret  sorrow. 

Thou  seest  too  in  one  deep  sigh 
The  soul's  unrest  and  striving 

For  closer  fellowship  with  thee, 
And  higher,  holier  living. 

*  *  « 

IF  THOU  ART  NEAR 
Gen.  28 : 15 

My  feet  may  tread  a  desert  waste, 

Where  no  refreshing  streams  abound, 
And  where  no  shadowy  rock  is  found ; 
I  will  not  halt,  I  will  not  haste; 
No  land  is  drear 
If  Thou  art  near. 

21 


Should  I  a  sea  tempestuous  sail, 
Where  many  a  rolling,  hungry  wave 
Yearns  near  me,  like  an  open  grave, 
With  never  once  a  favoring  gale, 
I  will  not  fear 
If  Thou  art  near. 

The  night  of  death  may  come  apace. 
My  failing  eyes  to  Thee  I'll  raise, 
In  silent  gratitude  and  praise, 
When  I  behold  thy  smiling  face, 
And  drop  no  tear 
Since  Thou  art  near. 


Hit* 

ABOVE  THE  CLOUDS 

Exod.  34 :  2 

Child  of  earth,  why  dost  thou  linger 

In  the  valley  of  despair? 
Dost  thou  not  discern  Hope's  finger 

Pointing  to  a  realm  more  fair? 

In  this  world- wide  vale  of  sorrow 
Somber  shadows  throng  the  way; 

Longingly  you  wait  the  morrow, 
Wishing  for  a  better  day. 

Cast  aside  thy  indecision  ; 

Toward  the  holy  mount  now  bend 
Thy  glad  feet,  a  clearer  vision 

There  thy  footsteps  shall  attend. 

Eagerly  press  onward,  higher, 
Rest  not  by  the  shady  rills ; 

With  eye  lit  with  heaven's  fire, 
Scale  the  everlasting  hills. 

22 


When  above  the  clouds  thou  standest 
On  the  mountain  of  thy  God, 

As  on  Nebo,  thou  commandest 
There  a  vision  wondrous  broad. 

Clouds  of  doubt  thou  seest  drifting 
Darkly  far  beneath  thy  feet, 

While  above  thy  head  are  lifting 
Visions  rapturous  and  sweet — 

Visions  of  the  saints — evangels — 
On  their  missions  wide  and  free, 

And  the  going,  coming  angels, 
Ministering  to  such  as  thee. 


ENOUGH  FOR  ME 
Deut.  4:31 

Enough  for  me  that  Christ,  my  Lord, 
Consoles  me  with  His  precious  Word ; 
I  know  His  promises  are  sure; 
I  trust  in  them,  and  am  secure. 

Enough  for  me  to  hear  Him  say, 
"Come  unto  Me,  my  child,  and  lay 
Your  weary  head  upon  My  breast, 
And  there  find  everlasting  rest." 

Enough  for  me  to  feel  His  hand 
Holding  my  own,  and  understand 
That  this  Good  Shepherd  only  leads 
By  waters  still,  and  flowery  meads. 

Enough  for  me  that  in  His  face 
The  lineaments  of  love  I  trace, 
A  love  that  made  Him  die  for  me 
On  Calvary's  rugged,  shameful  tree. 

23 


Enough  for  me  to  feel  and  know, 
That  let  come  weal,  or  let  come  woe, 
I  have  in  Christ  my  King  a  friend, 
Who  will  be  faithful  to  the  end. 


LEAN  HARD,  MY  CHILD 
Deut.  33 : 27 

Lean  hard,  my  child; 
And  let  thy  weary,  throbbing  head, 

Lie  trustingly  upon  my  breast, 

And  there  thy  soul  shall  find  sweet  rest, 
And  in  my  love  be  comforted ; 

Lean  hard,  my  child. 

Lean  hard,  my  child; 
Some  earthly  treasure  hast  thou  lost 

That  makes  thy  heart  a  dreary  waste? 

Then  to  my  outstretched  arms  make  haste ; 
Blessings  I  give  beyond  all  cost; 

Lean  hard,  my  child. 

Lean  hard,  my  child; 
Has  bitter  disappointment  come, 

And  left  a  shadow  on  thy  life, 

That  makes  thee  weary  of  its  strife? 
My  joy  shall  banish  all  thy  gloom ; 

Lean  hard,  my  child. 

Lean  hard,  my  child : 
I  know  the  anguish  of  thy  soul; 

I  poised  the  dart  that  made  the  wound 

That  rankles  in  the  spot  unsound; 
My  sovereign  balm  can  make  thee  whole ; 

Lean  hard,  my  child. 
24 


Lean  hard,  my  child : 
Thy  stricken  heart  within  thee  cries 

For  romfort  in  a  world  untrue; 

'Twas  false  to  me  as  well  as  you ; 
Look  straight  into  thy  Savior's  eyes; 

Lean  hard,  my  child. 

Lean  hard,  my  child: 
There  is  no  grief  I  have  not  known ; 

I  feel  thy  every  throb  of  pain ; 

I  count  thy  tears  that  fall  like  rain ; 
Then  come  to  me,  my  loved,  my  own ; 

Lean  hard,  my  child. 

Lean  hard,  my  child, 
And  trust  the  Father-heart  of  love; 

As  clouds  shall  vanish  these  sad  years, 

And  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears, 
When  in  his  mansions  fair  above ; 

Lean  hard,  my  child. 


THE  DEATH  OF  MOSES 

He  died  there  on  the  mouth  of  the  Lord. — Deut. 
34 :  5  (literal  translation) 

With  eye  undimmed  and  steady  tread, 

He  climbed  old  Nebo's  height, 
To  look  abroad,  by  Spirit  led, 

Upon  the  wondrous  sight. 
Once  he  was  false  to  God's  command — 

Was  angered  into  sin, 
Therefore  could  only  see  the  land, 

But  set  no  foot  therein. 

25 


With  vision  clear  he  sees  the  vales, 

Where  milk  and  honey  flow, 
And  looks  with  rapture  on  the  dales, 

Where  grapes  of  Eschol  grow; 
In  panoramic  view  it  seems 

Like  paradise  restored, 
And  everywhere  its  beauty  beams 

As  gardens  of  the  Lord. 

In  all  their  splendor  lie  near  by 

The  plains  of  Jericho, 
And  blending  with  the  northern  sky 

Is  Hermon's  crown  of  snow; 
The  sun  on  fields  a  halo  sheds, 

And  tips  the  hills  with  gold, 
While  all  are  bound  by  silver  threads, 

Where  Jordan  long  has  rolled. 

He  lingered  long  with  steadfast  gaze 

Upon  the  charming  scene, 
No  spot  obscured  by  fog  or  haze, 

All  garbed  in  living  green. 
It  only  vanished  from  his  sight 

With  the  departing  day, 
When,  with  the  fading  of  the  light, 

God  kissed  his  soul  away. 


*** 

NOT  AS  MAN  SEETH 
i  Sam.  16: 7 

God  loves  the  world,  with  all  its  sinning; 
The  Lamb  was  slain  from  the  beginning. 

Behold  the  bulb,  uncouth,  of  lily, 
To  splendor  growing,  slowly,  stilly. 
26 


The  sculptor  is  a  true  evangel, 
Converting  stone  into  an  angel. 

That  bit  of  earth-stained  ore  unsightly, 
Is  ground  to  brilliance  gleaming  brightly. 

The  outer  garb,  the  spirit's  clothing, 
May  fill  us  with  contempt  and  loathing. 

Beneath  habiliments  offending, 

There  hides  a  soul  with  life  unending. 

Seen  outwardly  man  feels  derision ; 
When  only  beauty  fills  God's  vision. 

Let  Jesse's  tall  sons  pass  by  singly ; 
The  prophet's  eye  discerns  the  kingly. 

Jacob,  the  cheater,  the  deceiver, 
Gives  strength  to  every  weak  believer. 

Moses,  the  murderer,  outranking  sages, 
Lawgiver  turns  for  all  the  ages. 

And  Paul,  the  dwarf,  the  persecutor, 
Becomes  the  world's  imperial  tutor. 

Known  only  thru  divine  revealing, 
From  God's  designs  there's  no  appealing. 

Hope  springs  forever  with  the  living; 
Love  is  not  love  that's  unforgiving. 

All  nature  prophesies  redemption ; 

Who  can  give  proof  of  man's  exemption? 

With  God  all  spirits  are  immortal ; 

Why  should  we  fear  the  grave,  life's  portal? 

Eternal  is  not  human  blindness; 
God's  glory  is  his  loving-kindness. 
27 


"WHO  GIVETH  SONGS  IN  THE  NIGHT" 
Job  35 : 10 

The  land  I  trod  methought  my  own; 

'Twas  purchased  with  my  blood  and  sweat ; 
One  day  it  slipped  beneath  my  feet, 

With  all  its  cherished  store,  and  yet 
The  memories  of  its  nooks  and  bowers 
Are  legacies  for  lonely  hours. 

On  me  a  dear  one  lavished  love, 
In  untold  measure,  thru  the  years; 

When  her  affection  waned,  my  woe 
Was  too  unutterable  for  tears. 

As  roses  crushed  by  careless  feet, 

So  chastened  hearts  grow  strangely  sweet. 

Before  my  gaze  in  days  of  youth 
Ambition  held  her  dazzling  lights; 

Thru  sleepless  toil  I  struggled  long, 
But  failed  to  reach  the  giddy  heights. 

A  richer,  more  enduring  prize 

Now  stands  revealed  before  my  eyes. 

'Tis  not  the  thing  we  win  that  counts, 
Tho  it  be  ease  or  wealth  or  power ; 

Contentment,  love,  self -conquest — these, 
These  only,  are  the  fruit  and  flower, 

For  which  God  giveth  songs  at  night, 

And  changeth  darkness  into  light. 


28 


THE  ETERNAL  EQUIPOISE 
Job  38:11 

A  million  fairy  pails  of  mist 
Arise  each  day  from  seas  sun-kissed, 
And  travel  highways  of  the  air, 
Wind-tossed  and  driven  everywhere, 
O'er  snowy  peak  and  desert  plain, 
Descending  in  the  dew  and  rain. 

A  thousand  mighty  rivers  flow, 
As  years  forever  come  and  go, 
And  swelling  floods  of  waters  pour 
Into  the  gulfs  along  the  shore, 
And  yet,  'tis  marvelously  strange, 
The  ocean's  level  knows  no  change. 

Who  keeps  account  of  mists  that  rise 
In  clouds  of  beauty  to  the  skies, 
So  that  the  vapor  turned  to  rain, 
Refreshing  hill  and  field  and  plain, 
When  at  the  shores  again  they  meet, 
There'll  be  a  perfect  balance  sheet. 

He  who  the  heavens  vast  hath  spanned 
Holds  worlds  and  systems  in  His  hand ; 
He  gives  to  stars  and  planets  place 
And  cycles  in  unending  space; 
The  bounds  of  ocean  He  hath  made, 
Wherein  their  proud  waves  shall  be  stayed. 


29 


LOVE  AND  TRUTH 
Psa.  19:  7,  8 

Thy  law  is  love,  Thy  word  is  truth, 

The  Holy  Spirit  is  my  guide; 
My  help  in  age,  my  hope  in  youth, 

My  strength  in  troubles  that  betide. 

Thy  royal  kingdom  is  within, 

And  knows  no  outward  circumstance; 

Thru  God  the  victory  I  must  win ; 
None  else  can  hinder  or  enhance. 

No  good  thing  will  the  Lord  withhold 
From  those  who  lovingly  obey; 

The  stars  may  fall,  the  earth  grow  cold, 
The  words  of  Christ  pass  not  away. 

He  always  hears  before  I  call; 

He  knows  my  prayer  before  I  speak; 
He  loved  me  when  a  prodigal, 

And  famishing  on  deserts  bleak. 

Mine  are  the  riches  of  His  grace, 

And  mine  the  length,  height,  depth  of  love, 

That  shines  upon  me  from  His  face, 
As  toward  the  mount  of  God  I  move. 

I  walk  by  faith,  and  not  by  sight, 
A  faith  that  takes  Him  at  his  word ; 

My  path  He  floods  with  heavenly  light, 
Since  Jesus  is  my  King  and  Lord. 


HE  RESTORETH  MY  SOUL 
Psa.  23:3 

In  God's  eternal  universe, 

From  earthly  rill  to  jasper  seas, 

There  is  no  loss,  there  is  no  curse, 
From  microlite  to  Pleiades ; 

Thru  all  there  runs,  in  endless  range, 

A  continuity  of  change. 

A  monad  in  a  poet's  brain, 

Beneath  the  spirit's  subtle  power, 

Evolves  to-day  a  lofty  strain, 
Returns  to-morrow  in  a  flower; 

In  each  it  ministers  to  those 

Elate  with  joys,  depressed  with  woes. 

A  multitude  in  senseless  rage 
Burned  an  evangel  in  his  youth, 

Yet  who  shall  say,  on  printed  page, 
He  does  not  still  proclaim  the  truth, 

Tho  it  may  be  a  far,  far  cry 

From  human  clay  to  factory? 

A  molecule  of  mortal  dust, 

That  gleamed  upon  a  sage's  brow, 

Is  carried  by  a  sudden  gust 

To  where  the  forest  monarchs  grow, 

And  ages  afterward  appears 

Where  Love  a  stately  mansion  rears. 

A  singer  drank  ambrosial  wine, 
And  sang  of  love  divinely  true ; 

A  warbler's  corse  the  earth  benign 

Gave  resting  place  where  vintage  grew ; 

Who  knows  but  atoms  in  the  throat 

Of  songster  trilled  the  maiden's  note  ? 


Is  atom,  molecule  or  dust, 
In  mankind,  animal  or  clod, 

Above  the  soul,  just  or  unjust, 
Made  in  the  image  of  its  God? 

Which  has  the  higher  place  or  goal, 

A  monad  or  a  human  soul  ? 


H  *  H 

WOULDST  THOU  SEE  AN  ANGEL? 
Psa.  34:7 

Wouldst  thou  see  an  angel,  brother, 

One  who  comes  to  lessen  care, 
Comes  with  ministries  of  mercy, 

Comes  to  strengthen  thee  in  prayer? 
Then,  like  Joshua,  be  courageous, 

Storm  the  Jerichos  of  sin, 
One  shall  soon  appear  beside  thee, 

And  the  victory  help  to  win. 

If,  like  Abram,  spirit  voices 

On  thy  listening  ear  shall  fall, 
As  they  summon  thee  to  wander, 

Promptly  heed  their  earnest  call; 
Or,  like  Jacob,  pray  and  wrestle 

Till  the  morning  dawns  apace, 
Then,  altho  thy  strength  may  fail  thee, 

Thou  shalt  see  one  face  to  face. 

Open  wide  the  skyward  windows 

Of  thy  earnest,  faithful  heart, 
And  at  morning,  noon  and  evening 

Seek,  thru  faith,  the  better  part. 
Then,  like  Daniel,  'mid  the  lions, 

Thou  shalt  see  an  angel  fair, 
From  the  heavenly  world  descended, 

Standing  close  beside  thee  there. 

32 


Like  the  faithful  Hebrew  children, 

Pass  thru  seven-fold  furnace  fires, 
That  shall  purge  thy  very  spirit 

Of  unhallowed  desires, 
Then  thy  vision  shall  be  perfect, 

And  thou  readily  canst  scan 
'Mid  the  fires  the  angel  features 

Like  unto  the  Son  of  man. 

Let  thine  alms  and  prayers  ascending 

Be  remembered  of  the  Lord, 
Then  a  visitant  from  heaven 

Shall  thy  faithfulness  record; 
Or,  like  Peter,  stand  up  boldly, 

Preach  the  word,  till  prison  wall 
Shall  surround  thee :  while  thou  sleepest 

Thou  shall  hear  an  angel  call. 

Wouldst  thou  see  an  angel,  brother, 

Seek  thine  own  Gethsemane; 
Drain  the  cup  of  sorrow,  saying, 

"Let  God's  will  be  done  in  me." 
On  an  altar  for  thy  fellows 

Pour  thy  soul  in  sacrifice ; 
Angel  hosts  shall  then  surround  thee, 

Aiding  thee  in  thine  emprise. 


CHRIST  ALL  AND  IN  ALL 
Psa.  46 :  i,  2,  3 

Come  weal  or  come  woe,  or  come  pleasure  or  pain, 
Come  days  of  prosperity,  seasons  of  loss ; 

Come  spring-time  or  winter,  come  sunshine  or  rain, 
Come  ravishing  joy  or  a  burdensome  cross. 

33 


Come  mornings  of  rose-tinted  promise  and  hope, 

Of  never  a  cloud  or  a  tear  or  a  care, 
But  followed  when  shades  to  the  Orient  slope 

By  twilights  of  sorrow  and  nights  of  despair. 

Come  friends  that  are  false  or  come  friends  that  are 
true, 

Come  enemies  misunderstanding  my  heart ; 
Come  clouds  of  thick  darkness  or  skies  that  are  blue, 

Come  griefs  or  come  joys  that  remain  or  depart. 

Come  journey  ings  oft  in  a  wilderness  way, 
Come  valleys  of  Marah  or  mounts  of  delight; 

Come  visions  of  rapture  that  only  betray, 
Come  songs  in  the  daytime,  or  dirges  at  night. 

Come  woes  without  number,  come  blessings  unpriced, 
Come  death  and  the  narrow  house  under  the  sod ; 

Come  any  or  all,  but  O,  come  to  me,  Christ, 
Thou  Son  of  the  Highest,  thou  Chosen  of  God. 

With  my  will  completely  surrendered  to  Thine, 
My  paths  will  be  peaceful  and  pleasant  my  ways ; 

With  Thy  spirit  evermore  dwelling  in  mine, 

My  gloom  will  be  gladness,  my  pain  will  be  praise. 

*«  * 


GUIDE  ME 
Psa.  48 : 14 

Guide  me,  O  my  Savior, 

In  the  starless  night; 
Let  Thy  sacred  presence 

Fill  my  soul  with  light : 
Then  tho  clouds  may  gather 

Thick  and  dark  and  low, 
Onward  in  my  journey 

Safely  I  will  go. 

34 


Guide  me,  O  my  Savior, 

In  the  daylight's  glare; 
May  no  net  of  Satan 

My  poor  feet  ensnare. 
May  the  work  Thou  givest 

Fill  my  heart  and  hand, 
Till  at  heaven's  portals 

Waiting  I  shall  stand. 

Guide  me,  O  my  Savior, 

Every  day  and  hour; 
Keep  me,  soul  and  body, 

By  Thy  grace  and  power; 
Then  I  ne'er  shall  wander 

From  the  living  way, 
And  my  path  grow  brighter 

Till  the  perfect  day. 

*  It  H 


THE  HEART  OF  LIVINGSTONE 

Ethiopia  shall  soon  stretch  out  her  hands  unto  God. 
Psa.  68 : 31 

In  shade  of  moula  deeply  buried  lies, 

In  far-off  Africa's  benighted  land, 

A  heart  that  thrilled  at  Love's  supreme  command, 
And  never  ceased  to  bleed,  thru  broken  ties, 
And  lonely  wanderings  under  alien  skies, 

Until  its  last  drop  met  Love's  last  demand, 

And  gave  a  voice  to  every  grain  of  sand 
That  for  the  Way,  the  Truth,  the  Life,  still  cries. 

O  mighty  heart  who  shared  the  galling  chain 

That  held  a  continent  in  slavery ; 
O  loving  heart  who  felt  the  keener  pain 

Of  this  same  land  in  sin's  captivity, 
Rest  sweetly  now  beneath  the  sun-scorched  sod — 
Old  Ethiopia's  hands  are  stretched  toward  God. 

35 


THE  LORD  GOD  IS  A  SUN 
Psa.  84:  ii 

The  Lord  God  is  a  sun 

That  kindles  earth  with  altar-fires; 
A  living  spark  is  man 

That  burns  with  infinite  desires. 

The  Lord  God  is  a  sun 

That  lights  the  utmost  bounds  of  space; 
Man  is  a  seven-hued  ray, 

All  luminous  with  heavenly  grace. 

The  Lord  God  is  a  sun, 

The  source  and  center  of  all  life ; 
Man  is  a  vital  germ, 

A  growing  power  for  toil  and  strife. 

The  Lord  God  is  a  sun 

That  planets  hold  to  orbits  true ; 
A  wondrous  magnet  man, 

To  lift  the  race  to  loftier  view. 


*  H  * 

OPEN  THOU  MINE  EYES 
Psa.  119: 18 

Lord,  open  Thou  mine  eyes  to  see 

The  chariots  of  God, 
The  beauty  in  each  flower  and  tree, 

Upspringing  from  the  sod — 

To  see  Thee  in  the  myriad  stars 
That  stud  the  dome  of  blue, 

Thy  glory  in  the  sunset  bars, 
With  ever  changing  hue; 

36 


To  see  Thee  in  the  towering  peak, 
Crowned  with  eternal  snow, 

In  swelling  streams  that  madly  seek 
The  ocean  deeps  below ; 

To  see  Thy  hand  in  world  events, 
When  nations  rise  and  fall, 

And  realize  the  impotence 
Of  kings  tyrannical; 

To  see  Thee  in  the  stormy  cloud, 

In  every  beam  of  light, 
In  gloom  and  darkness  that  enshroud 

A  sleeping  world  at  night; 

To  see  Thee  in  the  soul  of  man, 

Be  he  a  slave  or  Czar, 
And  know  that  in  redemption's  plan 

Each  has  an  equal  share. 

To  see  Thee  in  my  heart  and  life, 
Unknown,  and  yet  well  known, 

My  royal  friend  in  every  strife, 
No  power  can  dethrone ; 

To  know  that  evermore  in  Thee, 

I  only  live  and  move ; 
To  sup  with  Thee,  and  Thou  with  me, 

The  cup  divine  of  love. 

**  * 


OPEN  THY  WINDOWS 
Psa.  119:  18 

Open  the  windows  of  thy  soul; 

The  light  of  heaven  floods  the  earth ; 

If  thou  hast  had  a  royal  birth, 
Its  beams  have  power  to  make  thee  whole. 

37 


Open  the  windows  of  thy  soul; 

Too  long  the  curtains  have  been  drawn ; 

Push  them  aside — a  new  day's  dawn 
Begins  to  glow  from  pole  to  pole. 

Open  the  windows  of  thy  soul ; 

The  darkness  there  has  reigned  too  long ; 

The  light  will  banish  it  with  song 
As  sweet  as  o'er  Judaea  stole. 

Open  the  windows  of  thy  soul ; 

Disease  and  sin  God's  light  will  cure; 

Those  who  receive  it  shall  endure, 
When  earth  has  vanished  like  a  scroll. 

Open  the  windows  of  thy  soul; 
Pure  is  the  light,  and -that  alone 
From  Calvary's  cross  has  ever  shone, 

And  soon  will  flood  earth's  lowliest  shoal. 


**« 

SOWING  AND  REAPING 
Psa.  126:  5 

Weary  of  heart  and  tired  of  limb, 

My  soul  in  sad  unrest, 
A  burden  for  the  loved  and  lost 

Upon  my  spirit  pressed. 

Within  my  nerveless  hand  I  held 
Some  tiny,  precious  seed, 

To  scatter  in  some  goodly  ground, 
Unmarred  by  stone  or  weed. 

I  scattered  seed  grain  oft  before, 

On  hillside  and  on  plain, 
And  waited  patiently  and  long, 

But  reaped  no  golden  grain. 

38 


"O  Lord,"  I  cried  within  my  soul, 
"This  seed  I  pray  Thee  bless, 

And  thru  the  dews  of  heavenly  grace 
Make  rich  in  fruitfulness." 

The  tiny  seed  thus  sown  with  prayer 
Found  lodgment  in  good  ground  ; 

And  lo  !  when  came  the  harvest  time 
Abundant  fruit  was  found. 

O  worker  in  the  fields  of  God, 
Sow  gospel  seed  with  care; 

And  sow  beside  all  waters  too, 
But  sow  with  earnest  prayer. 


OUT  OF  THE  DEPTHS 
Psa.  130  :  i 

O  Father,  hear  me! 
My  heart  to  Thee  now  crieth 
For  help  in  time  of  sorrow  ; 
Delay  not  till  the  morrow, 
But  now,  ere  day  light  dieth, 
O  Father,  hear  me! 

O  Father,  guide  me  ! 
The  way  is  dark  before  me  ; 
I  know  not  where  it  tendeth, 
Until  more  light  Thou  sendeth, 
And  Thou  in  love  restore  me! 
O  Father,  guide  me! 

O  Father  shield  me  ! 
The  arrows  of  temptation 

Distress  and  sorely  wound  me  ; 
O  quickly  throw  around  me 
Thy  helmet  of  salvation  ; 
O  Father,  shield  me! 

39 


O  Father,  help  me! 
In  bitterness  I  call  Thee ; 
For  vain  is  help  of  human, 
Strong  man  or  tender  woman; 
O  come  ere  death  befall  me ! 
O  Father,  help  me! 

O  Father,  take  me! 
My  empty  hands  are  lifted 
To  Thee  in  mute  petition; 
O  see  my  sad  condition ! 
As  wheat  I  have  been  sifted; 
O  Father,  take  me! 

O  Father,  hold  me! 
The  waters  surge  about  me; 
Man's  help  is  unavailing; 
My  arm  of  flesh  is  failing, 
And  I  shall  sink  without  Thee; 
O  Father,  hold  me. 

O  Father,  save  me ! 
Thine  arm  alone  can  reach  me ; 
Place  me  where  no  storm  rages 
Upon  the  Rock  of  Ages, 
And  songs  of  triumph  teach  me; 
O  Father,  save  me ! 


PI** 

MY  GIFT 
Prov.  23 : 26 

As  months  grow  into  years, 
And  years  fly  fast  and  faster, 

What  shall  I  give  my  Lord, 
My  blessed  Lord  and  Master  ? 
40 


Is  there  in  all  the  reach 

My  heart  of  hearts  enfolding, 
Some  secret,  cherished  thing 

That  I  have  been  withholding? 

May  heavenly  light  reveal 
My  inner  deeps  of  being, 

Until  no  fault  escapes 
My  monitor's  clear  seeing. 

O  may  the  holy  Christ 

Of  sweet  and  blessed  story, 

Help  me  to  seek  alone 

His  love  and  grace  and  glory ! 


met! 

THE  LIVING  SEED 
Isa.  55: 10,  ii 

I  planted  once  a  tiny  seed 

In  mother  earth's  respondent  soil, 

And  left  it,  heedless  of  its  need 
Of  tender  care  and  watchful  toil. 

But  God  who  placed  within  its  breast 
The  germs  of  life  and  growth  and  form, 

And  who  prepared  its  fecund  nest, 
Sent  down  the  sun  to  keep  it  warm. 

Beneath  the  kiss  of  nightly  dew, 

And  gentle  touch  of  morning  shower, 

The  seed  into  a  plant  soon  grew, 
And  burst  into  a  fragrant  flower. 

A  seed  of  truth  lodged  in  my  soul ; 

I  carelessly  went  on  my  way; 
The  world  my  heart  held  in  control; 

Its  cares  beset  me  night  and  day. 


And  yet  the  God  of  life  and  love, 

Whose  truth  hath  neither  bond  nor  gyve, 
Sent  showers  of  grace  from  heaven  above, 

And  kept  the  precious  seed  alive. 

At  length  there  bloomed  within  my  heart 
The  fruits  and  flowers  of  life  divine; 

And  my  whole  being  seemed  a  part — 
A  lowly  branch — of  Christ  the  vine. 


*** 

DELAYED 
Isa.  60: 17 

Long  years  ago  I  made  a  prayer, 

That  only  heaven  knew, 
And  it  was  watered  by  my  tears, 

As  flowers'receive  the  dew. 

Behind  the  lips  that  never  moved, 

Into  a  flame  it  burned, 
And  for  fulfillment  many  years, 

Unceasingly  I  yearned. 

At  last  when  expectation  died, 

And  hope  was  in  her  grave, 
My  heavenly  Father  in  his  love 

A  double  answer  gave. 

Prayer  knows  its  own  appointed  times, 

As  rosebuds  to  unfold ; 
For  wood  the  answer  will  be  brass, 

For  brass  it  will  be  gold. 
42 


ALONE 
Isa.  63:3 

Into  the  garden  of  olives  so  stately, 
Moon,  with  her  mellow  light,  shining  sedately, 
Came  the  lone  Watcher  in  agony  bending, 
Only  his  soul  groans  the  midnight  air  rending. 

Stars,  did  ye  hear  the  petitions  of  sorrow, 

Asking  for  strength  for  the  shames  of  the  morrow? 

Did  not  thy  beams  become  dimmer  and  colder, 

As  ye  ensilvered  the  locks  on  his  shoulder  ? 

When  ye  beheld,  Moon,  the  bloody  sweat  falling, 
And  when  ye  heard  the  low  plaintive  voice  calling, 
Did  not  thy  countenance  alter  its  fashion, 
Your  glimmering  light  become  somber  and  ashen  ? 

Stars  that  are  keeping  thy  vigils  eternal, 
Garnishing  nightly  the  heavens  supernal, 
Did  ye  not  see  in  this  tragedy's  stages, 
Black  and  revolting  the  sins  of  the  ages? 

Friends  he  had  none  in  this  season  of  danger, 
To  the  earth's  millions  was  only  a  stranger; 
When  the  dire  horrors  of  death  did  enfold  Him, 
Even  the  Father  refused  to  behold  Him. 

Moon,  we  would  breathe  not  a  syllable  blaming 
Thee  for  the  wrath  in  thy  countenance  flaming, 
When  ye  beheld  all  the  demons  infernal 
Victory  gain  over  Goodness  eternal. 

Chide  not  the  stars  of  the  heavens  for  falling, 
'Mid  earth's  convulsions  and  quakings  appalling, 
When  He  was  tried  without  justice  or  jury, 
And  all  alone  trod  the  winepress  of  fury. 

43 


THE  NEW  HEAVEN  AND  NEW  EARTH 
Isa.  65: 17 

The  choir  invisible  anear  and  far, 

To-day  with  the  ear  of  my  faith  I  hear, 

From  guardian  angel  to  farthest  star, 
In  one  grand  symphony  sweet  and  clear. 

It  gently  sings  to  my  troubled  soul, 

And  calms  the  tempest  within  my  breast, 

With  healing  power  makes  my  spirit  whole, 
In  fullest  measure  gives  peace  and  rest. 

It  sings  of  infinite  love  and  grace, 
A  love  unmeasured  by  flight  of  years ; 

And  limitless  as  the  reach  of  space, 
And  faith  that  banishes  all  my  fears. 

It  sings  of  heaven  come  down  to  earth, 
Whose  seat  and  center  are  in  the  soul ; 

Transforms  to  gardens  the  plains  of  dearth, 
Where  joyful  anthems  unceasing  roll. 

I  live  no  more  in  the  realm  of  self ; 

Instead  in  the  atmosphere  of  Truth, 
With  no  ambition  for  fame  or  pelf, 

In  ecstasies  of  immortal  youth. 

There  is  no  future,  there  is  no  past; 

I  live  in  one  everlasting  now, 
'Neath  skies  with  never  a  cloud  o'ercast, 

With  God's  phylactery  on  my  brow. 


44 


PEACE 
Jer.  6 : 14 

We  cry,  "Peace,  peace !"    There  is  no  peace ; 

The  bugle  sounds  afar ; 
Above  the  prayer  that  conflicts  cease, 

We  hear  the  roar  of  war. 

Let  Hague  tribunals  do  their  best, 

To  make  the  nations  one ; 
That  they  succeed  we  have  this  test — 

The  belching  of  a  gun. 

In  theory  we  deprecate 

The  battle's  wild  alarms; 
But  lift  no  hand  to  terminate 

The  deadly  clash  of  arms. 

We  talk  of  changing  sword  and  spear 

To  pruning  hook  and  plow; 
Yet  to  the  mighty  cannoneer 

We  reverently  bow. 

All  men  are  brothers  we  maintain, 

In  language  grave,  serene; 
And  then  we  build  an  aeroplane, 

And  launch  a  submarine. 

"Our  Father,"  with  bowed  heads  we  say, 

"Thy  will,  not  ours,  be  done ;" 
And  then  the  devil  is  to  pay, 

Until  our  side  has  won. 

A  vulture,  in  his  beak  a  bone, 

Has  driven  off  the  dove ; 
And  Hate  usurps  the  royal  throne, 

That  should  be  graced  by  Love. 

45 


And  men  are  simply  Mammon's  tools, 
Who  kiss  the  scourging  rod ; 

The  military  spirit  rules, 
The  Big  Stick  is  our  god. 

What  hypocrites  we  mortals  are, 

Before  the  heavens  high ! 
We  redden  all  the  earth  with  war, 

And  Peace  still  prophesy. 

*  *  H 


THE  SUNRISE  OF  THE  SOUL 
Ezek.  43 :  i,  2,  3 

Turn  not  thy  vision  toward  the  west, 
The  gold  may  sparkle  in  the  sky, 

And  glitter  in  the  mountain's  crest; 
'Tis  there  the  day  lies  down  to  die. 

Nor  toward  the  north  star  turn  thy  gaze ; 

The  blizzard's  home  is  ever  there, 
Tho  Boreas  rules  with  crown  of  blaze, 

Drear  Desolation  fills  the  air. 

Direct  thine  eyes  not  toward  the  south ; 

'Tis  there  the  oceans  seethe  in  wrath, 
Beneath  the  hot  breath  from  the  mouth 

Of  Sol  in  the  equator's  path. 

But  focus  thy  wide-open  eyes 
Upon  the  Dawning  of  the  Day, 

Whose  coming  glories  in  the  skies 
Reveal  to  thee  the  living  Way. 

Nor  north,  nor  south,  nor  yet  the  west 
Has  aught  for  thee  of  gift  or  goal ; 

Eastward  direct  thy  spirit's  quest; 
There  see  the  Sunrise  of  thy  Soul. 
46 


THE  POWER  BEHIND  THE  GUNS 
Amos  9 :  2,  3 

I  am  the  arbiter  of  war, 

The  czar  of  human  fate; 
Against  my  rule  there  is  no  bar, 

In  court  or  church  or  state. 

The  nations  in  my  mighty  hand 

Are  as  the  dust  of  earth ; 
They  come  and  go  at  my  command ; 

I  sponsor  am  at  birth. 

They  rise,  they  flourish,  they  decay 

At  my  supreme  decree; 
And  by  my  breath  are  swept  away, 

As  bubbles  on  the  sea. 

They  build  and  launch  their  monster  ships, 

And  o'er  the  waves  they  leap ; 
But  soon  the  ocean's  hungry  lips 

Engorge  them  in  the  deep. 

Let  lordly  captains  mobilize 

Their  men  in  trench  and  plain ; 
And  tho  they  fight  in  seas  or  skies 

Their  efforts  all  are  vain. 

The  prophet  knew  what  would  betide, 

And  heralded  the  knell 
Of  warriors  who  tried  to  hide 

In  trenches  digged  to  hell. 

That  tho  in  swift- winged  aeroplane 

They  pierce  the  firmament, 
I'll  bring  them  down  to  earth  again, 

In  currents  turbulent. 

47 


And  tho  in  submarines  they  plow 

The  waters  of  the  main, 
My  serpents  fierce  I  shall  endow 

With  power  to  enchain. 

I  am  the  arbiter  of  war, 
I  rule  the  wind  and  wave ; 

The  death-knell  echoes  from  afar, 
To  monarch  and  to  slave. 

The  angels  of  Judaea's  plain, 
Who  thrilled  the  midnight  air, 

Will  answer,  with  a  sweet  refrain, 
My  universal  prayer. 


ftH* 

INTROSPECTION 
Micah  6 : 8 

Years  are  swiftly,  slowly  flowing 

To  the  unreturning  sea ; 
As  they  glide  am  I  bestowing 

Work,  O  Lord,  that  honors  thee? 

Is  my  soul  within  the  keeping 
Of  the  God  of  light  and  love? 

Am  I  from  my  labors  reaping 

Sheaves  of  joy  for  realms  above? 

Have  I  poured  the  oil  of  gladness 
Into  hearts  of  lone  despair? 

Have  I  lifted  clouds  of  sadness 
From  the  anxious  brow  of  care  ? 

Has  the  star  of  hope  shone  brighter 
In  some  lonely  traveler's  sky; 

Has  some  heart  been  made  the  lighter 
From  the  love-beam  in  my  eye  ? 
48 


Have  I  lifted  from  one  shoulder 
Some  oppressive  weight  of  woe, 

Making  one  poor  soul  the  bolder 
Present  ills  to  undergo? 

Have  I  led  one  struggling  spirit 
Out  of  sin  and  shame  and  night, 

Who  thru  my  words  shall  inherit 
Mansions  in  the  land  of  light  ? 

Then,  my  Savior,  I  will  bless  thee 
For  the  riches  of  thy  grace ; 

At  thy  feet  let  me  caress  thee, 
And  I  ask  no  worthier  place. 


INFINITY 
Zech.  4 : 10,  first  clause 

A  difference  in  the  large  or  lesser  lights 

Is  not  in  quality  but  in  degree  ; 
A  path  may  lead  to  dizzy  Alpine  heights ; 

A  rivulet  will  surely  reach  the  sea. 

A  blade  of  grass  has  secrets  of  its  own ; 

A  daisy  may  conceal  a  wondrous  plan ; 
A  little  cloud  that  floats  from  zone  to  zone 

A  mission  has  inscrutable  to  man. 

An  acorn  holds  within  its  dull  brown  shell 
A  forest  musical  with  songsters  sweet; 

In  one  man's  heart  may  smolder  fires  of  hell ; 
For  heaven's  joys  another  faintly  beat. 

A  helpless  Babe  in  a  rude  manger  lay ; 

Unheralded,  by  wise  and  great,  his  birth ; 
A  Babe  with  body  formed  of  common  clay, 

Yet  to  be  King  and  Lord  of  all  the  earth. 

49 


Speak  truly,  or  forever  more  be  still  ; 

A  whisper  holds  a  blessing  or  a  curse ; 
The  atom  has  its  purpose  to  fulfill ; 

There's  nothing  small  in  God's  vast  universe. 


WHO  HATH  DESPISED  THE  DAY  OF 
SMALL  THINGS? 

Zech.  4 : 10 

A  vagrant  cloud,  unshapely,  dun, 
Can  mar  the  glory  of  the  sun; 
A  floating,  filmy  gossamer 
Obscure  the  beauty  of  a  star. 

A  sneer,  keener  than  swordman's  steel, 
Inflicts  a  wound  time  cannot  heal ; 
And  scorn  malicious  words  intone 
Has  turned  a  heart  of  flesh  to  stone. 

There  is  a  tragedy  in  tears 
Rung  by  the  anguish  born  of  jeers ; 
A  throbbing  breast  forever  stilled, 
Because  one  vow  is  unfulfilled. 

The  echoes  of  a  cheerful  song 
Give  hope  and  gladness  all  day  long ; 
The  kindly  beaming  of  an  eye 
Transforms  the  face  of  earth  and  sky. 

The  kisses  of  a  little  child 
Have  tamed  a  nature  fierce  and  wild ; 
A  rose  with  love  in  every  breath 
Has  rescued  feet  from  ways  of  death. 

50 


The  grasping  of  a  friendly  hand 
Has  given  the  fallen  strength  to  stand ; 
A  smile  that  over  sweet  lips  stole 
To  righteousness  hath  won  a  soul. 

Since  Jesus  Israel's  thousands  fed, 
Who  would  disdain  a  crumb  of  bread  ?- 
An  emblem  made  inviolate, 
Until  He  comes  in  royal  state. 

In  one  red  drop  of  nature's  wine 
Are  mirrored  memories  divine, 
Since  it  was  chosen  to  signify 
The  blood  poured  out  on  Calvary. 


*** 

THINE  AND  MINE 
Mai.  3:  17 

I  am  Thine  and  Thou  art  mine, 
By  the  power  of  love  divine, 
Love  that  sought  my  soul  when  lost, 
Love  that  shrank  not  at  the  cost. 

I  am  Thine  and  Thou  art  mine, 
By  the  altar  and  the  shrine, 
Where  the  Christ  in  sorrow  bowed, 
Mid  the  jeering  of  the  crowd. 

I  am  Thine  and  Thou  art  mine, 
By  the  blood  poured  out  like  wine, 
A  libation  pure  and  sweet, 
From  the  pierced  hands  and  feet. 

I  am  Thine  and  Thou  art  mine, 
By  the  stars  that  ceased  to  shine, 
Hiding  sacredly  their  flame, 
From  the  scenes  of  Calvary's  shame. 

51 


I  am  Thine  and  Thou  art  mine, 
By  the  lily  and  the  vine, 
Emblems  of  the  heart  and  life, 
In  the  garden  of  our  strife. 

I  am  Thine  and  Thou  art  mine, 
By  the  pentecostal  sign, 
Self-consuming,  cleansing  fire, 
Leaving  one  supreme  desire. 

I  am  Thine  and  Thou  art  mine, 
By  the  signet's  stamp  divine, 
Heir  of  One  whose  kingdom  runs 
With  the  circle  of  the  suns. 


*  HH 

THE  STAR  OF  BETHLEHEM 

Matt.  2 : 2 

O  star  that  shone  on  Bethlehem, 
Destined  to  be  the  diadem 
Upon  the  brow  of  Zion's  King, 
Thy  light  serene  we  hail  and  sing. 

Our  souls  are  dead,  our  eyes  are  blind, 
And  cold  the  heart  and  dull  the  mind, 
Till  on  us  dawns  the  light  of  love 
That  glorifies  the  home  above. 

As  thou  didst  guide  wise  men  of  old, 
With  frankincense  and  myrrh  and  gold, 
Unto  the  feet  of  Child  divine, 
So  on  our  path  arise  and  shine. 

O  star  of  joy,  O  light  of  truth, 
Pour  down  thy  beams  on  man  and  youth, 
And  may  all  feel  each  day  and  hour 
Thy  healing  warmth,  thy  guiding  power. 

52 


"OUR  FATHER" 
Matt.  6 : 9 

Why  should  this  high  and  holy  phrase 
Fall  from  the  lips  of  age  or  youth, 

When  life's  expression  but  betrays 
A  heart  that  never  felt  its  truth? 

The  Son  of  man  could  comprehend 

Its  width  and  length,  its  depth  and  height; 

Its  far  beginning,  utmost  end, 
Its  growing  love,  increasing  light. 

But  we,  we  pride  ourselves  on  birth, 

The  accident  of  pelf  or  place; 
We  shun  the  lowly  ones  of  earth; 

Our  favor  goes  by  dress  or  face. 

His  work  was  not  so  high  or  great 
He  could  not  hear  the  beggar's  cry; 

But  with  a  touch  unbarred  the  gate, 
Revealing  scenes  in  earth  and  sky. 

And  from  the  woman  in  her  shame 

He  did  not  turn  away  in  scorn ; 
Her  base  accusers  felt  the  flame 

Of  kindly  word  for  one  forlorn. 

Nor  passed  he  with  averted  eye 

Where  long  had  lain  the  palsied  form, 

But  answering  the  plaintive  cry, 

Made  streams  of  life  again  run  warm. 

We  freely  pay  the  price  to  send 
The  missioner  to  Afric's  shore, 

Yet  snub  and  scorn,  despise,  offend 
The  colored  brother  at  our  door. 

53 


Should  yellow  races  dare  intrude 
Upon  this  country  of  the  free, 

On  them  the  ban  of  servitude 
Is  basely  laid  by  law's  decree. 

"Our  Father"  —  brothers  are  all  men 
Of  every  nation  'neath  the  sky; 

Treat  them  as  such,  or  ne'er  again 
Pollute  your  lips  with  this  base  lie. 


THE  LILIES 
Matt.  6:28 

Consider  the  lilies,  how  they  grow; 

They  toil  not,  neither  do  they  spin  : 
Thus  spake  the  anointed  Son  of  God, 

While  wandering  in  this  world  of  sin. 
The  great  and  wise  king  Solomon, 

The  pride  of  all  the  monarchies, 
In  all  the  glory  of  his  power, 

Was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these. 

Consider  the  lilies  :  He  would  teach 

The  anxious-hearted  sons  of  toil, 
That  God  regards  the  humblest  flower 

That  lifts  its  head  above  the  soil. 
Unto  the  faithless  He  would  show 

Thus  how  the  Father's  tender  care 
Is  over  all  that  He  hath  made, 

In  heaven  or  earth  or  sea  or  air. 

Consider  the  lilies  :  once  a  bulb 

Enwrapped  its  shapeless  life  unseen; 
What  hidden  powers  combined  to  weave 

Its  beauteous  garb  of  white  and  green  ! 
O  flower  of  loveliness  and  grace, 

The  One  who  formed  yon  blazing  star, 
With  beauty  thee  hath  also  crowned  — 

So  pure  and  white  thy  petals  are. 

54 


Consider  the  lilies :  that  which  forms 

Their  snowy  petals'  rounded  fold, 
Was  taken  from  the  elements 

Within  earth's  procreative  mold; 
Thru  nature's  subtle  chemistry 

And  influences  pure  and  sweet, 
They  sprang  to  life,  and  slowly  grew 

To  form  and  loveliness  complete. 

Consider  the  lilies :  as  they  give 

Beauty  of  shape  to  lifeless  earth, 
So  man,  once  cold  and  dead  in  sin, 

Is  made  alive  thru  heavenly  birth. 
From  out  the  chrysalis  of  death, 

To  which  his  state  resemblance  bore, 
He  rises  on  the  wings  of  faith 

Toward  heaven  and  Christ  and  God  to  soar. 

Consider  the  lilies :  pearly  dew 

Upon  their  waiting  leaves  distilled : 
With  gentle  showers  from  above 

Their  petaled  mouths  were  often  filled. 
Why  should  not  man  as  eagerly 

Open  his  heart  to  heavenly  grace, 
And  let  the  love  this  grace  inspires 

Find  there  a  sure  abiding  place  ? 

Consider  the  lilies :  how  yon  sun 

Doth  pencil  with  his  gentle  beam, 
With  tints  as  delicate  and  rare 

As  make  an  artist's  joy  and  dream, 
Thus  He  so  truly  called  the  Sun 

Of  Righteousness,  in  colors  bright, 
On  human  hearts  His  impress  leaves, 

In  living  characters  of  light. 

Consider  the  lilies :  thus  He  spake, 
Who  walked  and  talked  in  Galilee ; 

O  may  He  bring  new  hope,  new  life, 
New  love,  good  friends,  to  you  and  me ! 

55 


And  as  the  lilies  fill  the  air 

With  fragrance  heavenly  and  unpriced, 
So  goodness  should  exhale  from  those 

Who  are  disciples  of  the  Christ. 

Consider  the  lilies :  may  the  One — 

The  Lily  of  the  Valley  called— 
Impress  His  image  on  our  souls, 

Till  all  are  with  His  love  enthralled, 
And  may  we  wear  above  our  hearts 

This  fairest  flower  the  earth  hath  borne, 
Till  we  shall  all  His  beauty  see, 

On  Resurrection's  happy  morn. 


HHH 

THE  HIGHEST  GOOD 
Matt.  6:33 

While  gazing  on  the  mountain  height, 
Feelings  of  awe  my  being  throng ; 

Beyond  I  see,  with  more  delight, 
The  hills  of  God,  the  peaks  of  song. 

I  love  the  stars  that  shower  down 
Their  gold  and  silver  on  the  lea, 

Yet  one  star  in  my  heavenly  crown 
Will  bring  a  sweeter  joy  to  me. 

With  rapture  I  behold  the  flowers 
That  deck  the  sward  and  garden  wall, 

But  one  that  blooms  in  Eden's  bowers, 
The  Rose  of  Sharon,  surpasses  all. 

I  wander  by  the  restless  sea, 
Enamored  of  its  ceaseless  roar; 

Yet  streams  of  mercy,  full  and  free, 
From  throne  of  heaven  charm  me  more. 

56 


How  precious  is  the  love  of  friend, 

If  faithful  in  adversity ; 
But  no  beginning  and  no  end 

Has  love  of  Christ  who  died  for  me. 

From  azure  dome  to  emerald  sod, 

Things  beautiful  and  sweet  are  mine; 
Yet  first  I  seek  the  grace  of  God, 
His  kingdom  and  His  peace  divine. 

*  *  * 

THE  MOTE  AND  THE  BEAM 
Matt.  7 :  3,  4,  5 

He  drives  a  speedy  motor  car, 
And  visits  countries  near  and  far, 
And  sometimes  tipples  at  the  bar; 
His  neighbor  heaves  a  long  drawn  sigh, 
With  green  of  envy  in  his  eye. 
It  comes  to  me  as  in  a  dream, 
This  is  a  case  of  mote  and  beam. 

The  husband  mutters  in  a  rage 
Words  never  used  by  saint  or  sage, 
Nor  ever  seen  on  printed  page, 
Because  the  partner  of  his  joys, 
With  nagging  all  his  peace  destroys. 
Methinks  things  here  are  what  they  seem— 
Another  case  of  mote  and  beam. 

To  church,  'tis  said,  he  seldom  goes; 
How  much  his  open  hand  bestows 
Upon  the  poor  heaven  only  knows. 
His  neighbor,  'neath  his  pious  dress, 
Conceals  the  sin  of  covetousness, 
And  in  his  eye  I  see  a  gleam 
That  brings  to  mind  the  mote  and  beam. 

57 


The  lady  wears  a  handsome  gown, 

And  jewels  in  her  hair  of  brown, 

And,  tho  unseen,  a  queenly  crown. 

It  takes  no  eagle  eye  to  see 

In  her  poor  neighbor  jealousy, 

And  it  is  only  what  I  deem 

An  awful  case  of  mote  and  beam. 

Before  we  censure  or  condemn, 
Let  us  but  touch  the  garment's  hem 
Of  Him  who  wore  heaven's  diadem 
Of  Justice,  absolute  and  pure, 
Whose  right  to  speak  none  can  abjure. 
With  fuller  light  and  true  esteem, 
The  mote  will  vanish  with  the  beam. 


LIFE'S  SEA 

Matt.  8  :  23-26 

A  little  mariner  I  am 

On  life's  tempestuous  sea, 
And  whether  deep  or  whether  wide, 

It  matters  not  to  me. 

It  is  an  ocean  wild,  unknown, 

Uncrossed  by  me  before, 
Whose  dark  and  swiftly  rolling  waves 

Sweep  toward  an  unseen  shore. 

I  drift  not  with  the  flowing  tide, 

Before  the  howling  gale; 
I  steer  by  compass  tried  and  true, 

And  never  known  to  fail. 

When  storms  arise  and  threaten  hard 

My  bark  to  overwhelm, 
I  calmly  wait  ;  my  Father's  hand 

Is  resting  on  the  helm. 

58 


I  have  a  Captain  brave  on  board, 

The  Man  of  Galilee, 
Whose  word  brings  calmness  to  the  soul 

As  well  as  to  the  sea. 

I  listen  'mid  the  clash  of  waves 

To  hear  my  Captain's  call, 
As  o'er  the  sea  and  o'er  my  soul 

The  specter-shadows  fall. 

The  night  is  long,  the  heavens  dark, 
The  voyage  rough  and  drear; 

And  yet  the  Captain's  tender  voice 
Is  full  of  hope  and  cheer. 

Perhaps  my  bark  is  nearing  now 

The  dim  horizon's  bar — 
The  border  of  the  unseen  world, 

So  near,  and  yet  so  far. 

The  dawn  of  day  may  soon  reveal 

The  haven  of  the  blest, 
Where  stands  the  City  beautiful, 

And  where  my  soul  shall  rest. 

Then  let  the  clouds  be  dark  above, 
The  wild  waves  roll  and  foam ; 

Each  onward  sweeping  of  the  tide 
But  brings  me  nearer  home. 


THE  SEED  AND  THE  FRUIT 
Matt.  13 : 23 

The  seed  is  good,  likewise  the  tree, 
And  good  the  fruit  thereof  must  be ; 
Likewise  my  soul  that  comes  from  God, 
Just  as  the  seed  that  bursts  the  sod, 
Must  find  its  birth  and  growth  in  Thee. 

59 


The  seed  is  good,  likewise  the  vine, 
And  good  the  fruit  the  branches  twine, 
And  if  my  soul  in  God  confides, 
As  branch  in  parent  vine  abides, 
How  sweet  must  be  life's  ruddy  wine ! 

May  I  be  filled  in  body,  soul, 

With  all  God's  fullness,  and  made  whole 
In  inner  being,  life  and  heart, 
Of  Truth  be  made  a  vital  part, 

Then  only  spirit  shall  control. 

Since  God  is  Love,  in  nature,  name, 
Then  part  and  parcel  of  the  flame 
Am  I  that  burns  up  base  desire, 
And  sickness,  self  and  sin  expire, 
That  once  my  spirit  overcame. 

My  life  is  sweet  and  musical 
Since  I  have  answered  every  call, 

The  inner  voice  has  given  to  me ; 

The  Truth  has  made  my  spirit  free, 
And  Christ  is  now  my  all  in  all. 


*  HH 

THE  TWO  COMPANIONS 
Matt.  15:30,  31 

Two  men  sought  the  Christ  to  find ; 
One  was  deaf,  the  other  blind. 
He  with  vision  led  the  way 
For  the  other  day  by  day, 
And  described  the  vine-clad  hills, 
Flowers  and  birds  and  laughing  rills. 
60 


"O  if  I  could  only  see 
Bird  and  flower  and  brook  and  tree !" 
Said  the  one  bereft  of  sight, 
Living  long  in  starless  night. 
But  the  other  did  not  hear ; 
Only  with  his  inner  ear, 
Did  he  understand  in  part 
What  was  in  his  brother's  heart, 
And  responsively  he  cried : 
"What  a  boon  I  am  denied! 
While  thy  face  and  form  I  see, 
And  each  hill  and  plain  and  tree, 
How  my  spirit  would  rejoice 
Could  I  only  hear  thy  voice ! 
Christ,  the  Nazarene,  I  hear 
Can  unstop  the  long-deaf  ear, 
And  can  open  long-blind  eyes ; 
Will  he  not  regard  our  cries  ?" 
They  approach  the  city's  gate, 
Enter  in  with  hearts  elate, 
And  with  souls  afire  with  faith, 
Seek  the  Christ  of  Nazareth ; 
And  the  one  who  could  not  see, 
Saith,  "Thou  Savior,  this  is  he 
That  hath  led  me  to  this  place, 
To  behold  thee  face  to  face ; 
Open  now,  I  pray,  his  ear, 
That  he  may  thy  sweet  voice  hear 
As  thou  speakest  unto  me 
Words  that  make  my  blind  eyes  see." 
Then  did  Christ  his  hands  outreach, 
Touching  eye  and  ear  of  each; 
"Be  thou  opened,"  came  the  word, 
And  the  act  each  saw  and  heard. 

As  the  blind  eyes  opened  wide, 
And  beheld  the  Savior's  face, 

"Fairest  one  on  earth,"  he  cried, 
"Full  of  beauty,  truth,  and  grace." 
61 


"Mortal  ear  hath  never  heard 
Voice  with  music  half  so  sweet," 

Said  the  other,  at  the  word 
Falling  prostrate  at  his  feet. 


THE  LOST 

Matt.  18:  ii 

No  grain  of  sand,  no  film  of  mist, 

No  molecule  however  void, 
No  floating  mote,  by  sun  ray  kissed, 

The  sages  say,  can  be  destroyed  ; 
From  earth  to  space's  farthest  coast, 
No  atom  even  can  be  lost. 

A  shining  bit  of  earth  to-day, 
That  drops  with  fading  lily  leaf, 

Floats  down  the  river's  winding  way, 
Until  it  reaches  ocean's  reef  ; 

Tho  ever  tossed  from  sea  to  sea, 

It  will  not,  cannot  cease  to  be. 

A  coin  was  missing  from  the  case, 

Where  jewels  were  concealed  from  sight; 

The  woman  sought  with  anxious  face, 
And  aid  of  candle's  flickering  light, 

Until  she  found  the  treasure  rare, 

And  bade  her  friends  her  joy  to  share. 

The  shepherd  found  but  ninety-nine, 
One  stormy  night,  within  the  fold; 

"Tho  straying  far,  the  sheep  is  mine; 
I  seek  it  tho  the  night  is  cold." 

Upon  the  desert  bleak  and  high, 

His  quick  ear  heard  its  fainting  cry. 
62 


The  prodigal  can  only  learn, 

Thru  gnawing  hunger,  loss,  and  pain, 
That  fires  of  love  intenser  burn, 

Tho  sin  the  wayward  soul  enchain; 
Reason  enthroned,  he  turns  once  more 
To  Mercy's  ever  open  door. 

If  not  a  speck  of  matter  dies, 
And  vanishes  to  nothingness, 

How  can  the  soul  that  glorifies 
The  spirit's  outer,  grosser  dress, 

Be  cast  into  oblivion's  sea, 

And  lost  to  immortality? 


LIFE'S  HIGH  NOON 
Matt.  20:12 

Life's  high  noon  is  swiftly  passing, 

Like  an  eagle  in  its  flight  ; 
Soon  its  troubles  cease  harassing, 

Soon  will  come  the  long,  long  night. 

Now  the  sun  in  regal  glory 

Floods  us  with  his  golden  beams  ; 

These  are  hours  that  tell  life's  story, 
And  no  time  for  listless  dreams. 

To  be  idle  now  is  sinning; 

He  who  hears  no  voices  call, 
New  achievements  seeking,  winning, 

Is  an  arrant  prodigal. 

Burdens  make  the  body  stronger, 
And  the  soul  in  wisdom  grows 

When  it  satisfies  its  hunger 

With  the  bread  the  Lord  bestows. 

63 


Labor  makes  the  spirit  sweeter 
With  the  onward  march  of  years, 

And  the  life  becomes  completer 
When  Hope  vanquishes  our  fears. 

Would  you  know  the  joy  of  living? 

To  the  verities  give  heed ; 
Learn  the  art  divine  of  giving 

To  thy  brother  in  his  need. 

Would  you  thrill  with  Love  eternal, 
Ruling  in  the  heavenly  hosts? 

Seek  the  gift  of  gifts  supernal — 
Soul  in  travail  for  the  lost. 

Then,  my  friends,  ere  shadows  lengthen, 
Seize  each  moment  as  it  flies ; 

All  your  powers  immortal  strengthen 
With  the  strength  that  God  supplies. 

*  «* 


'UNTO  ONE  OF  THE  LEAST  OF  THESE' 
Matt.  25 : 40 

Help  me,  O  Lord,  to  see  thy  face 

In  every  man  that  walks  the  earth — 
A  subject  of  thy  love  and  grace, 

Be  his  a  high  or  lowly  birth ; 
And  give  me  the  supernal  gift, 

No  matter  what  his  race  or  name, 
To  take  him  by  the  hand,  and  lift 

His  feet  from  depths  of  sin  and  shame. 

No  act  is  mean  or  low,  my  Lord, 
That  faith  inspires  my  hands  to  do, 

If  faithful  to  thy  will  and  word, 
And  to  myself  I  would  be  true. 

64 


All  labor  is  divine  and  sweet, 

If  meekness  sanctifies  the  deed, 
Be  it  to  wash  disciples'  feet, 

Or  souls  with  heavenly  manna  feed. 

Endue  me  with  transcendent  love, 

That  suffers  long,  and  still  is  kind ; 
That  jealousies  can  never  move, 

And  hate  or  malice  cannot  bind ; 
That  trusts  in  the  eternal  Good, 

That  hopes,  believes,  endures,  and  knows 
That  all  is  well,  if  understood, 

When  ends  creation's  travail  throes. 


"YE  DID  IT  UNTO  ME" 
Matt.  25 : 45 

Into  the  city's  highways 

A  noble  woman  came, 
And  in  its  slums  and  byways 

She  wrought  in  Jesus'  name. 

Her  heart  went  out  in  pity 
To  children  mid  the  snare 

Of  sin  in  that  great  city, 
Without  a  mother's  care. 

Upon  her  path  of  duty 

The  light  of  heaven  fell  down, 
Revealing  gems  of  beauty 

To  deck  her  Master's  crown. 

In  wretchedness  she  found  them, 

In  hovel  and  in  street; 
She  gently  threw  around  them 

Love's  mantle  warm  and  sweet. 

65 


One  day  a  burning  fever 
Seized  on  her  body  frail, 

While  ministering  over 
A  sufferer  thin  and  pale. 

The  fever  soon  was  broken, 
But  ere  its  work  was  done, 

Its  mark  left  as  a  token 
Sweet  sacrifice  had  won. 

Her  friends  could  see  the  traces 
Of  bitter  burning  tears ; 

She  saw  love  in  their  faces, 
But  heard  not  with  her  ears. 

Tho  deaf  to  all  earth's  voices, 
Its  words  of  cheer  and  love, 

Her  chastened  soul  rejoices, 
In  whisperings  from  above. 

And  sweeter  than  a  mother's 
The  words  of  Christ  will  be — 

"Ye  did  it  unto  others — 
Ye  did  it  unto  me." 

Some  day  in  realms  eternal, 
Will  break  upon  her  ears 

The  songs  of  choirs  supernal, 
The  music  of  the  spheres. 

*  *  * 


WOMAN 
Matt.  26:7 

It  was  a  woman  broke  the  box, 

The  alabaster  vase, 
And  won,  by  act  unorthodox, 

The  Master's  pledge  of  grace. 
66 


In  all  the  world  this  deed  of  hers 

Receives  its  meed  of  praise, 
While  Fashion's  sordid  worshipers 

The  sword  of  envy  slays. 

It  was  a  woman  at  the  cross 

Who  saw  with  weeping  eyes, 
Who  felt  the  agony  and  loss, 

The  gloom  of  midday  skies. 
She  was  the  last  to  leave  the  scene 

Of  tragedy  and  pain, 
Will  feel  the  woes  that  intervene 

Till  Jesus  comes  again. 

It  was  a  woman  bore  the  word 

On  resurrection  morn — 
Love's  message  of  their  common  Lord 

To  souls  dismayed,  forlorn. 
She  came  her  dead  friend  to  embalm 

With  aromatics  sweet, 
But  dropped  them  from  her  loving  palm, 

To  grasp  his  living  feet. 

And  doubtless  she  was  last  to  see 

The  Savior  take  his  flight, 
When  clouds  became  his  livery, 

And  hid  Him  from  her  sight. 
And  when  He  comes  to  earth  again, 

Be  that  time  soon  or  long, 
As  angels  on  Judaea's  plain, 

She'll  greet  Him  with  a  song. 

If  righteousness  shall  ever  win 

This  world  from  ways  of  strife, 
And  lift  it  from  the  death  of  sin 

To  everlasting  life, 
The  glory  of  that  day  of  days 

Will  come  thru  woman's  love, 
Thru  Him  who  ever  for  us  prays, 

As  Advocate  above. 
67 


THE  TRAITOR 
Matt.  27 : 3-5 

The  silver  on  the  pavement  rang — 

It  was  the  price  of  blood; 
Remorse  had  struck  its  sharpest  fang; 

Despair-transfixed  he  stood. 

"Take  back  your  hire,"  the  poor  man  cried; 
"It  burns  my  hands  and  soul;" 
'Tis  naught  to  us,"  the  priest  replied, 
With  face-distorting  scowl. 

The  arch  deceiver  of  all  time, 

As  to  the  earth  he  fell, 
Awakened  to  his  awful  crime, 

Beheld  the  mouth  of  hell. 

And  were  there  never  men  before, 

Nor  after,  who  betrayed 
The  innocent,  the  meek,  the  poor, 

In  righteous  garb  arrayed  ? 

The  sin  against  the  lowly  Christ, 

For  pitiful  reward, 
Allures,  when  lives  are  sacrificed, 

That  Croesus  still  may  hoard. 

He  who  thru  bribery  of  gold 

Robs  childhood  of  its  bliss, 
Betrays,  as  Judas  did  of  old, 

The  Master  with  a  kiss. 

A  highwayman,  without  defense, 

Tho  praised  as  saint  or  sage, 
Is  he  who  gains  his  opulence 

By  pauper  labor's  wage. 
68 


The  traitor  to  his  race  to-day 

Restores  no  ill-got  pelf ; 
No  penance  does  he  ever  pay, 

Nor  does  he  hang  himself. 

The  first  betrayer  wins  our  praise, 
Tho  voiced  with  some  constraint; 

Compared  with  sinners  in  these  days, 
He  should  be  called  a  saint. 


THE  RISEN  LORD 
Matt.  28 : 6 

The  butterfly  that  wings 

Its  desultory  way, 
And  drinks  from  hidden  springs 

Rare  nectar  all  the  day, 
Is  but  an  image  frail 

Of  Him  the  saints  deplored 
As  dead,  yet  whom  we  hail 

Our  risen  Lord. 

The  lily  at  my  feet, 

So  wonderfully  fair, 
In  workmanship  complete, 

Is  but  a  symbol  rare, 
In  springing  from  the  earth, 

Its  grave,   where  bulb  was  lowered, 
To  signal  by  its  birth 

Our  risen  Lord. 

The  trees  that  lift  their  voice, 

After  the  winter's  strife, 
Exultantly  rejoice 

In  resurrected  life ; 

69 


The  harbingers  of  spring, 
The  flowers  upon  the  sward, 

In  sweetest  concord  sing 
A  risen  Lord. 

O  heart  of  man,  be  still; 

No  longer  fear  or  sigh  ; 
All  things  God  shall  fulfill— 

'Tis  death  itself  shall  die  ; 
Not  spike  or  cross  or  nail 

Could  long  suppress  the  Word 
A  million  voices  hail 

A  risen  Lord. 


IN  GADARA 
Mark  5  :  17 

When  the  Savior  sought  new  scenes, 
In  the  land  of  Gadarenes, 
There  he  found  two  kinds  of  men, 
One  in  mountain  cave  and  glen, 
Filled  with  demons  fierce,  malign, 
One  possessed  of  filthy  swine. 

At  the  word  of  liberty, 
Headlong  down  into  the  sea 
Rushed  the  devils  in  the  swine, 
As  if  drunk  with  hellish  wine. 
At  the  blessed  Savior's  feet, 
With  a  face  serene  and  sweet, 
Of  the  legion  dispossessed, 
Sat  the  man  with  heart  at  rest. 

But  the  people  of  this  land, 
With  no  wit  to  understand 
Values  higher  than  their  swine, 
With  one  common  voice  now  join, 
70 


Angered  at  the  price  it  cost 
To  restore  the  man  long  lost, 
Begging  Christ  to  leave  their  coast. 

And  with  spirit  sad  and  sore, 
He  withdrew  to  come  no  more. 


*  «  * 

TRUST 
Mark  n:  22 

See  the  little  child  at  play, 
All  the  lovely,  sun-lit  day, 
Never  troubled  by  a  care, 
Never  offering  a  prayer, 
In  her  wayward,  happy  mood, 
Whence  shall  come  her  daily  food. 
Why,  my  older  friend,  should  we 
With  forebodings  burdened  be, 
Grieving  Him  who  always  knows 
All  our  human  wants  and  woes, 
Ready  daily  help  to  give, 
If  in  Him  we  move  and  live? 

HHH 

WHY  THIS  WASTE? 
Mark  14 : 4 

Birds  never  made  such  melody 

As  now  she  heard  in  shrub  and  tree. 

The  rose  was  tremulous  with  dew, 
That  glorified  its  crimson  hue. 

A  wreath  of  lilies  pearly  white 
Made  for  her  brow  a  crown  of  light. 

71 


How  glad  her  spirit  since  that  day 
The  Master  spoke  her  sins  away! 

Love  was  to  her  its  own  reward, 
That  poured  her  treasure  out  for  nard. 

With  deepest  gratitude  inspired, 
She  sought  the  One  her  soul  desired. 

Altho  not  bidden  to  the  feast, 
She  was  to  Him  a  welcome  guest. 

She  entered  with  a  silent  tread, 
And  poured  the  ointment  on  his  head. 

One  soul  in  sordid,  sorry  haste, 

In  censure  said :  "Why  all  this  waste  ? 

"Why  not  bestow  this  on  the  poor, 
Who  lie  unnumbered  at  the  door?" 

"Let  her  alone.    'Tis  for  my  sake." 
It  was  the  Master  calmly  spake. 

"Thru  deep  affliction  she  has  come, 
To  anoint  my  body  for  the  tomb." 

A  kindness  is  despoiled  by  boast; 
Love  is  not  love  that  counts  the  cost. 


IN  A  MANGER  LOWLY 
Luke  2 : 7 

Tis  Christmas  day  o'er  all  the  earth, 

The  gladdest  day  of  all  the  year; 

With  bounding  joy  and  royal  cheer 
This  day  we  celebrate  the  birth 

Of  a  Baby  sweet  and  holy, 

Lying  in  a  manger  lowly. 
72 


From  heaven  he  came  the  lost  to  save, 
And  angels  made  the  arches  ring 
In  honor  of  the  Christ-child  king, 

While  sleeping  earth  no  welcome  gave 
To  this  Baby  sweet  and  holy, 
Lying  in  a  manger  lowly. 

Led  onward  by  a  heaven-sent  star, 
With  hearts  all  love-lit  by  its  flame, 
Three  wise  men  with  their  offerings  came 

Of  gold  and  frankincense  and  myrrh, 
To  this  Baby  sweet  and  holy, 
Lying  in  a  manger  lowly. 

Shall  we  not  with  the  angels  sing 

In  honor  of  the  Savior  born 

Upon  this  holy  Christmas  morn, 
And  now  our  hearts'  best  treasure  bring 

To  this  Baby  sweet  and  holy, 

Tho  born  in  a  manger  lowly? 


O  ANGELS,  COME  AGAIN 
Luke  2 : 13,  14 

O  angels,  come  again  to  earth, 

As  in  the  olden  time, 
When  you  announced  the  Savior's  birth, 

In  choruses  sublime. 

The  song  of  Peace  died  on  the  air, 
Then  came  the  awful  word, 

"For  persecution's  rod  prepare — 
I  come  to  send  a  sword." 

73 


Because  the  wise  men  called  him  King, 

The  babes  of  Bethlehem 
Were  first  redemption's  song  to  sing, 

And  wear  Love's  diadem. 

The  messenger  sent  to  proclaim 
The  Life,  the  Truth,  the  Way 

Was  next  to  feel  hate's  furious  flame, 
And  know  the  tyrant's  sway. 

Apostles  gladly  suffered  loss 

Of  all  the  world  calls  gain, 
And  bore,  on  gibbet,  rack,  and  cross 

The  penalty  of  pain. 

The  tumults  of  the  ages  search — 

A  swelling,  crimson  flood, 
And  know  the  seed-truth  of  the  church 

Has  been  the  martyr's  blood. 

One  fate  awaits  the  war-lord's  lust, 

Its  impact  of  reward, 
They  who  place  in  the  sword  their  trust 

Shall  perish  with  the  sword. 

Resist  not  evil,  Jesus  said, 

But  overcome  with  good; 
How  few  among  the  quick  and  dead 

This  truth  have  understood. 

Among  earth's  host  of  pure  and  brave, 

Thru  non-resistance,  He 
Won,  over  evil  and  the  grave, 

Immortal  victory. 

We  may  pervert  and  misuse  creed, 

For  mercenary  aim, 
But  Truth  is  mightier  than  greed, 

And  shall  mankind  reclaim. 

74 


Man  may  rely  on  sword  and  gun 

For  safety  and  defense, 
But  far  more  triumphs  have  been  won 

By  Faith's  omnipotence. 

And  Faith  has  still  her  Olivet, 
With  banner  wide  unfurled, 

And  Love,  divine,  eternal,  yet 
Shall  overcome  the  world. 

Then,  angels,  come,  renew  your  song, 
And  peace  again  proclaim; 

Good  will  to  men  shall  conquer  wrong, 
And  banish  sin  and  shame. 


*  XH 

THE  PRINCE  OF  PEACE 
Luke  2 : 14 

Above  the  nations  in  war  allied, 

With  all  their  legions  of  bristling  steel; 
Above  base  royalty's  pomp  and  pride, 

The  bitter  grind  of  the  despot's  heel; 
Above  the  Czar  who  is  deaf  and  blind 

To  wives  and  children  who  wail  and  weep ; 
Above  the  Kaiser  who  sows  to  the  wind, 

And  who  ere  long  shall  the  whirlwind  reap, 
Is  a  God  who  rules  in  the  realms  above, 
Whose  banner  over  us  waves  in  love. 

The  seers  proclaimed  in  the  days  of  old 

That  One  should  come  as  the  Prince  of  Peace, 

That  He  should  bring  in  the  age  of  gold, 
When  wars  and  rumors  of  wars  should  cease. 

75 


"The  weary  and  burdened  in  Me  find  rest," 
Said  this  great  teacher  of  Galilee, 

And  all  the  millions  of  earth's  oppressed, 
And  souls  in  prison  shall  soon  go  free, 

For  our  God  is  Love,  whose  sovereignty 

Shall  rule  the  nations  from  sea  to  sea. 

In  spite  of  armies  and  wild  despair, 

In  spite  of  carnage  and  prison  pen, 
The  song  of  Judaea  still  fills  the  air, 

Of  peace  on  earth  and  good  will  to  men. 
Soon  swords  and  spears  will  be  black  with  rust, 

And  birds  in  the  cannon's  mouth  shall  nest, 
And  kings  and  emperors  bite  the  dust, 

The  lamb  and  the  lion  together  rest, 
For  our  Christ  is  King,  and  soon  in  his  name 
Everlasting  peace  shall  the  world  proclaim. 

*  *  H 


OWED  MUCH,  FORGIVEN  MUCH 
Luke  7 : 36-48 

Weeping  bitter,  burning  tears, 
Filled  with  self-condemning  fears, 
That  consumed  her  as  a  flame, 
To  the  Christ  in  haste  she  came. 

In  humiliation  meet. 
Kneeling  low,  she  kissed  His  feet, 
With  the  loose  hair  of  her  head, 
Drying  them  of  tears  she  shed. 

He  a  prophet  cannot  be, 
Said  the  haughty  Pharisee, 
Else  assuredly  He  knows, 
That  a  sinner's  garb  she  shows. 
76 


Simon,  hearken  unto  me, 
Somewhat  I  would  say  to  thee. 
Debt  held  two  men  in  its  clutch; 
One  owed  little,  one  owed  much. 

Neither  having  aught  to  pay, 
They  were  told  to  go  their  way ; 
Him  that  trusted  them,  and  lost, 
Who  of  these  would  love  the  most? 

Answer  there  could  be  but  one, 
And  it  came  in  humble  tone ; 
Then  the  Master  bowed  His  head — 
Simon,  thou  hast  rightly  said. 

Thou  in  bidding  Me  to  eat, 

Gave  no  water  for  My  feet ; 

In  the  face  of  open  jeers, 

She  has  washed  them  with  her  tears. 

With  no  kiss  you  welcomed  Me, 
Nor  My  head  anointed — she 
Ceases  not  to  kiss  my  feet, 
Bathing  them  with  ointment  sweet. 

Pardon  freely  is  bestowed, 
Whether  much  or  small  is  owed ; 
But  the  heart  forgiven  most 
Of  a  greater  love  can  boast. 

Therefore,  woman,  go  thy  way ; 
Pardoned  are  thy  sins  to-day ; 
Let  thy  bitter  weeping  cease. 
Faith  hath  saved  thee,  go  in  peace. 


77 


"WHO  TOUCHED  ME?" 
Luke  8 : 45 

"Who  touched  me?"  didst  Thou  ask,  my  blessed  Lord? 
Why  seekest  Thou  to  know  the  humble  name 
Of  one  unknown  to  wealth  or  worldly  fame  ? 

Disease  has  pierced  me  like  a  vengeful  sword. 

If  Thou  wilt  only  speak  the  wondrous  word, 
No  more  will  I  endure  the  stinging  shame, 
The  years  of  inward  grief  and  outward  blame, 

And  be  by  sinner  and  by  saint  abhorred. 

Let  me  but  touch,  my  Lord,  thy  garment's  hem, 

And  truly  I  will  ask  of  Thee  no  more ; 

To  blessed  hope  and  health  Thou  will  restore. 
If  I  but  touch  Thy  seamless  robe  my  soul 
From  sinfulness  will  be  made  clean  and  whole. 


*** 

THE  JERICHO  ROAD 
Luke  10 : 30 

Adown  the  road  to  Jericho, 
There  was  a  scene  of  human  woe. 

A  man  was  robbed,  and  left  for  dead ; 
The  cruel  highwaymen  had  fled. 

A  priest  who,  at  the  altar  stood, 
Hands  red  with  sacrificial  blood, 

Beheld  the  prone  man's  alien  dress, 
And  was  untouched  by  his  distress. 

Tho  sworn  all  mercy's  laws  to  obey, 
The  Levite  hastened  on  his  way. 

78 


A  man  of  other  tribe  and  tongue 
Failed  not  to  see  the  proofs  of  wrong. 

No  further  would  he  dare  to  go 
Till  he  relieved  the  sufferer's  woe. 

And  moved  by  law  humane,  divine, 
He  poured  on  wounds  the  oil  and  wine. 

Should  we  not  heed  another's  groan, 
Tho  made  in  language  not  our  own  ? 

How  can  we  claim  the  sacred  name, 
If  warmed  not  by  the  sacred  flame? 

On  me  should  others  good  bestow, 
If  I  like  mercy  will  not  show? 

There  is  a  being  throned  above 
Who  answers  hatred  with  his  love. 

Our  life  is  but  a  travesty 

If  like  Him  we  profess  to  be, 

And  white  or  black  shall  place  a  ban — 
An  alien's  name — on  any  man. 

It  Hit 


DISAPPOINTMENT 
Luke  ii :  11,  12 

I  sought  the  place  of  sacred  song, 
The  place  of  praise  and  prayer  ; 

My  heart  was  pained  with  sense  of  wrong, 
My  spirit  bowed  with  care. 

79 


My  soul  had  gone  the  long,  long  week 

Unsatisfied,  unfed ; 
And  hungry  now,  I  came  to  seek 

The  living,  heavenly  bread. 

Unworthy  tho  I  was,  and  still 

I  craved  a  crumb  or  bone — 
Something  my  hungry  heart  to  fill 

I  asked — and  got  a  stone. 

I  felt  the  need  of  arms  divine 

Beneath  my  waning  powers ; 
I  asked  for  manna  and  for  wine 

And  got — word-painted  flowers. 

Rare  stones  the  hand  and  breast  may  grace, 

And  flowers  may  deck  the  head ; 
But  with  the  hungry  have  no  place, 

Compared  with  heavenly  bread. 

O  servants  of  the  living  One, 

To  whom  all  hearts  are  known, 
For  egg  give  not  a  scorpion, 

For  bread  give  not  a  stone. 

H  *  H 

I  WILL  ARISE,  AND  GO  TO  MY  FATHER 
Luke  15: 18 

Father,  hear  my  lowly  prayer, 
Bow  Thine  ear  to  my  petition, 

Rising  thru  the  tremulous  air, 
On  the  wings  of  my  contrition. 

Heed  the  tender,  plaintive  cry 

Of  a  prodigal  returning 
From  a  land  of  beggary, 

For  a  Father's  blessing  yearning. 
80 


Hungry,  desolate  I  come, 
Body,  spirit,  sorely  broken; 

Pallid  lips  with  sorrow  dumb, 
Tearful  eyes  love's  only  token. 

I  would  smite  my  troubled  breast, 
Daring  not  to  look  toward  heaven, 

Pleading  for  that  joy  and  rest, 
Only  known  to  the  forgiven. 

.When  again  I  see  Thy  face, 

Never  will  I  shame  or  grieve  Thee  ; 
As  a  son  I  have  no  place  — 

Only  as  a  slave  receive  me. 


AT  HIS  GATE 
Luke  16:  20 

The  crumbs  were  all  that  he  desired, 
As  there  he  lay  in  rags  attired. 

The  sun  supplied  his  lack  of  clothes, 
And  even  dogs  relieved  his  woes. 

He  wanted  little  here  below, 
And  none  that  little  would  bestow. 

With  mind  on  wealth  and  things  of  state, 
The  rich  man  passed  him  at  his  gate. 

He  looked  at  him  with  eye  askance, 
Discerning  not  his  pleading  glance. 

No  case  like  this  to  him  appealed; 
His  thought  embraced  a  world-wide  field. 

For  famished  thousands  far  away, 
Subscriptions  liberal  he  would  pay. 
81 


He  founded  colleges  and  schools, 
.Where  sovereignty  of  Croesus  rules. 

Financed  the  big  things  of  the  church, 
And  institutes  for  deep  research. 

Thru  want  and  pain  the  beggar  died, 
And  noting  this  the  rich  man  sighed. 

'Twas  not  a  sigh  inspired  by  grief, 
But  one  that  simply  meant  relief. 

Thus  passed  an  opportunity, 

For  which  an  angel  well  might  plea. 

Should  we  not  heed  the  cry  of  woe, 
Upon  our  road  to  Jericho? 

And  tho  an  alien  race  to  mine, 
Upon  his  wounds  pour  oil  and  wine? 

A  cup  of  water  I  can  give, 

That  souls  in  throes  of  thirst  may  live. 

With  hearts  enticed  by  things  that  cheat, 
We  trample  jewels  'neath  our  feet — 

Jewels  that  might  adorn  a  crown, 
When  we  shall  lay  life's  burden  down. 

*  *  * 

WHAT  HAVE  I  DONE? 
Luke  17: 10 

What  have  I  done,  O  Lord, 
That  I  may  see  thy  face? 

Have  I  obeyed  Thy  word, 

Received  Thy  pardoning  grace, 

Wielded  the  Spirit's  sword, 
With  patience  run  the  race? 
82 


I  long  have  borne  the  name 
Of  those  who  follow  Thee; 

But  have  I  felt  the  shame  — 
The  curse  of  Calvary, 

Been  dead  to  worldly  fame 
And  sensuality? 

At  altars  I  have  knelt, 

Received  the  bread  and  wine; 
But  have  I  truly  felt 

The  love  intense,  divine, 
That  dwells,  and  ever  dwelt, 

In  that  great  heart  of  Thine? 

Do  follies  of  my  youth 
No  longer  govern  me? 

Do  I  receive  the  truth 

That  makes  the  spirit  free? 

And  am  I  filled  with  ruth 
For  inward  bigotry  ? 

I  bitterly  bemoan 

My  long  unworthiness, 
And  trust  in  Christ  alone, 

In  uttermost  distress, 
Till  I  be  clothed  upon 

With  His  own  righteousness. 


"IF  THOU  HADST  KNOWN" 
Luke  19  :  42 

I  did  not  know  the  world  is  fair 
Until  I  breathed  the  desert's  air, 
And  felt  the  torment  of  the  heat 
Of  scorching  sands  beneath  my  feet. 

83 


I  did  not  know  until  the  pain 
Distressed  my  body,  racked  my  brain, 
Of  laws  transgressed,  misunderstood, 
Ordained  divinely  for  my  good. 

I  did  not  know  the  light  is  sweet 
Until  the  darkness  dense  and  fleet 
Enveloped  me  within  its  fold, 
And  left  me  wandering  lone  and  cold. 

I  did  not  know  the  worth  of  love, 
In  earth  below  or  realms  above, 
Until  I  felt  the  burning  weight 
Of  tongues  aflame  with  bitter  hate. 

I  did  not  know  the  grace  of  God 
While  in  the  ways  of  sin  I  trod, 
Until  the  touch  of  hand  divine 
My  cup  of  sorrow  turned  to  wine. 

I  did  not  know  the  soul's  great  price, 
Until  I  saw  the  sacrifice 
Made  on  the  cross  of  Calvary 
From  sin  and  death  to  ransom  me. 


CHRIST  BEFORE  PILATE 
Luke  23 :  i 

The  mob  is  fury-swayed.    The  Nazarene 
Is  worn  in  body  thru  the  night's  unrest. 
The  bloody  sweat  and  agonizing  prayer 
Have  left  their  mark  in  sunken  cheek  and  eye. 
The  shadow  of  the  Cross  that  years  ago, 
In  faintest  outlines,  fell  across  His  path, 

84 


Now  deepens  with  the  gloom  of  coming  storms 
That  soon  will  break  upon  Him.    Yet  He  walks 
With  steadier  tread  than  king  unto  the  place 
Of  coronation.    Imprecations  wild 
Fall  on  His  ear  that  had  been  keen  to  hear 
The  cry  of  human  sorrow,  but  they  bring 
No  terror  to  His  heart.    With  waving  hands 
They  urge  Him  on  to  Pilate's  hall,  and  yet 
Tho  swift  to  shed  the  blood  of  innocence, 
Their  feet  touch  not  the  alien  court  of  Rome, 
Fearing  defilement  on  this  day  of  days 
To  them,  unconscious  that  the  Lamb  of  God, 
Of  which  all  others  were  but  shadowy  types, 
Is  soon  to  pay  the  penalty  for  sin. 

Serene  He  stands  as  mountain  in  the  storm. 

His  eye  is  calm  as  any  summer  sky. 

He  moves  majestically  as  the  stars. 

To  Pilate's  court  he  comes.    Its  marble  floor 

Had  ne'er  been  pressed  by  feet  like  His  so  swift 

To  run  on  mercy's  errands,  nor  its  walls 

Echoed  a  voice  whose  tones  had  brought  to  hearts 

Borne  down  with  grief  the  comfort  sweet  of  rest. 

Then  comes  the  warning  of  the  wife  that  he 

Beware  how  he  condemn  this  man,  because 

That  night  she  had  been  troubled  in  her  dreams. 

"I  find  no  fault  in  Him,"  the  governor  cried; 

"I  will  apply  the  scourge,  and  let  Him  go." 

At  this  the  surging  mob  cried  "No,  let  Him 

Be  crucified."    "What,  shall  I  crucify 

Your  king?"  now  tauntingly  impleads  the  judge. 

"We  have  no  king  but  Caesar,"  cried  the  mob. 

And  thus  the  vacillating  governor, 

Fearing  to  give  offense  to  powers  at  Rome, 

And  fearing  accusations  of  the  priests, 

With  them  he  bandies  words  to  no  effect, 

Other  than  deepen  hatred  in  the  hearts 

For  vengeance  sworn,  no  matter  what  the  cost. 

85 


In  private  conference  with  the  prisoner 

He  asked,  "What  is  the  truth?"    He  waited  not 

For  answer,  since  he  saw  its  meaning  writ 

In  every  feature  of  the  face  of  Him, 

Tho  marred,  who  stood  before  his  judgment  seat. 

Again  he  sought  to  save  the  silent  man, 

Whose  innocence  he  knew,  but  hatred  sat 

Upon  the  throne  of  priestly  heart,  nor  Rome, 

Nor  Roman  governor  could  now  avail 

To  check  the  burning  thirst  for  blood  of  Him 

Who  had  denounced  their  sin. 

"Shall  I  release 

Barabbas,  or  the  one  called  Christ?"  once  more 
He  pleads.    Back  came  the  cry,  "Release  to  us 
Barabbas;  crucify  the  Nazarene." 
"I  wash  my  hands  of  this  man's  blood,"  exclaimed 
The  judge,  suiting  the  action  to  the  word. 
"His  blood  be  on  us  and  our  children,"  cried 
The  raging  mob,  unmindful  of  their  words, 
And  woes  the  awful  imprecation  meant 
To  their  posterity  the  coming  years. 
Then  Pilate  said  "Behold  the  Man !    Take  him, 
And  do  to  him  whate'er  ye  will."    Then  went 
Serenely  forth  from  judgment  hall  the  Christ, 
Bearing  His  cross  unto  the  place  of  death. 

*** 


EASTER  MORN 
Luke  24 : 6 

Thru  Zion's  gate  had  wildly  surged 

A  human  flood, 
By  hatred  tossed,  by  passion  swayed, 

Crying  for  blood 
Of  One  who,  hounded  by  such  foes, 

In  silence  stood. 

86 


Their  murderous  vengeance  had  been  wreaked 

Upon  His  head ; 
Thorn-crowned  and  bleeding,  thru  the  gates 

He  had  been  led, 
And  in  the  pangs  of  Calvary's  Cross 

His  spirit  fled. 

His  body  had  been  laid  to  rest 

By  tender  hands, 
And  sealed  the  sepulcher  with  care 

At  Hate's  commands, 
And  over  it  a  watch  was  placed 

Of  Roman  bands. 

The  shades  of  night  now  linger  o'er 

Judaean  hills, 
And  on  the  rose  by  Kedron's  brook, 

The  dew  distills, 
And  all  is  silent  but  the  song 

Of  murmuring  rills. 

But  see !  in  yonder  sky  there  dawns 

Another  day; 
An  angel  breaks  the  seal,  and  rolls 

The  stone  away ; 
The  guard  is  stricken  to  the  earth 

In  wild  dismay. 

Lift  up  your  heads,  ye  heavenly  gates, 

In  joy  on  high ! 
For  Christ  hath  burst  the  bars  of  death — 

Man  shall  not  die ! 
O  death,  where  is  thy  sting?    O  grave, 

Thy  victory? 


THE  WORD  MADE  FLESH 
John  i :  14 

What  boots  it  that  I  have  oft  been  told 
There  is  a  God  in  the  realms  above, 

From  none  His  mercy  He  doth  withhold, 
That  He  in  essence  and  heart  is  love, 

And  hear  no  voice  I  can  understand, 

Nor  feel  the  touch  of  a  healing  hand  ? 

A  seven-hued  glory  inheres  in  light, 

So  Solons  tell  us,  in  science  wise, 
And  skies  and  clouds,  with  their  tintings  bright, 

Are  prisms  that  we  should  forever  prize, 
And  yet  the  tulip,  the  aster  and  rose 
These  hidden  splendors  more  fully  disclose. 

Grace  always  slumbers  in  curve  and  line, 

And  unity  is  concealed  in  form, 
But  only  features  blood-tinged,  divine, 

With  streams  of  life,  heart-propelled  and  warm, 
Can  manifest  to  the  mind  and  eye 
The  sympathies  that  within  them  lie. 

Tis  said  that  beauty  in  virtue  dwells, 
That  goodness  lives  in  the  heart  of  truth, 

That  hope  all  terrors  of  fear  dispels, 
And  age  is  sweeter  by  far  than  youth, 

But  who  their  secrets  could  find  or  trace, 

Without  the  light  of  a  human  face? 

Nor  can  we  know  the  infinitude, 

The  wisdom,  grace  and  almighty  power, 

Outside  the  only  incarnate  Good, 
Humanity's  highest  fruit  and  flower, 

As  shown  in  doctrine  and  deed  and  death 

Of  Christ,  the  Teacher  from  Nazareth. 
88 


LOVE  INCARNATE 
John  i :  14 

He  came  from  the  heart  of  heaven, 
And  went  to  the  heart  of  hell, 

Where  spirits  lay  un forgiven, 

Submerged  in  the  great  flood's  swell. 

Between  the  high  hills  of  glory, 
And  Stygian  shores  of  gloom, 

He  walked  on  a  planet  gory, 
That  yawned  as  a  world-wide  tomb. 

He  spent  three  and  thirty  cycles 
Where  race  was  at  war  with  race, 

Anear  to  the  scenes  where  Michael's 
Dispute  o'er  a  saint  took  place. 

The  First-Born  of  all  creation, 
And  chief  of  the  sons  of  morn, 

He  bore  the  humiliation 
Of  bigotry's  bitter  scorn. 

A  star  the  three  wise  men  leading 
Stood  over  this  new-born  King; 

His  lowly  estate  unheeding, 

Their  wonderful  gifts  they  bring. 

With  two  turtle  doves  the  mother 
Approached  in  a  peasant's  guise 

The  altar;  she  had  none  other 
To  offer  in  sacrifice. 

At  twelve  He  confounds  the  sages, 
Deep  versed  in  mystical  lore, 

Uncovering  truths  that  for  ages 
Philosophers  only  explore. 

89 


One  word  in  a  sweet  tone  spoken, 
When  guests  at  a  wedding  dine, 

Sufficed,  as  a  magical  token, 
For  water  to  blush  as  wine. 

His  words,  so  cheerful  and  tender, 
On  hearts  fell  as  falls  the  dew, 

Reflecting  in  lives  the  splendor 
Of  graces  uplifting  and  true. 

A  friend  He  was  to  the  friendless, 
And  mortals  of  low  degree; 

He  loved  with  a  love  as  endless 
As  tides  on  the  jasper  sea. 

He  came  with  an  infinite  kindness, 
As  softly  as  dawns  the  light, 

To  souls  despairing  in  blindness, 
Long  sitting  in  shades  of  night. 

No  censure  or  condemnation 
Had  He  for  the  low  and  lost ; 

Supreme  His  determination 
To  save  at  an  infinite  cost. 

Beset  was  His  path  thru  city 
And  mountain  by  human  beasts, 

When  even  His  hands  in  pity 
Appeased  hungry  souls  with  feasts. 

The  woman  who  had  no  shelter 
To  shield  her  in  time  of  sin, 

Found  in  Him  a  trusted  helper 
From  rabble's  onslaught  and  din. 

With  one  gentle  touch  of  His  finger 

The  leprosy  fled  away; 
Where  He  was  constrained  to  linger 

The  scepter  of  death  lost  sway. 
90 


His  eye  could  see  souls  in  sorrow, 

His  ear  note  the  cry  of  fear ; 
He  waited  not  till  the  morrow — 

In  the  hours  of  the  night  brought  cheer. 

And  spirits  of  evil  departed, 

As  vanishes  night  at  morn, 
When  eyes  like  an  arrow  darted 

Rebuke  with  the  voice  of  scorn. 

He  stood  for  the  truth  unmoving 

As  mountain  upon  its  base  ; 
Tho  kings  were  His  course  reproving, 

And  priests  were  plotting  disgrace. 

"It  pleased  Jehovah  to  bruise  Him," 

'Tis  writ  as  with  iron  pen, 
In  immolation  to  use  Him, 

A  victim  for  the  whole  world's  sin. 

When  came  the  demand  imperial, 

If  He  were  indeed  a  king, 
"I  am,"  came  the  words  so  real, 

The  arches  were  made  to  ring. 

He  knew  well  the  answer's  meaning — 
'Twas  death  on  a  Roman  cross ; 

No  heavenly  arm  intervening 
To  ward  off  the  stroke  or  loss. 

The  dregs  of  the  cup  of  sorrow 

Were  emptied  into  His  soul; 
His  foes  recked  not  of  the  morrow — 

Of  visions  it  might  unroll. 

He  went  as  a  lamb  to  the  slaughter, 

Obeying  the  Father's  will ; 
Unbound  on  the  rugged  altar 

That  stood  upon  Calvary's  hill. 

91 


"Forgive,  O  my  Father  in  heaven. 

These  men  know  not  what  they  do," 
He  cried  as  the  nails  were  driven 

Thru  hands  that  no  evil  knew. 

"O  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken 
This  dying  child  of  thy  love  ?" 

Old  earth  from  beneath  was  shaken  ; 
No  answer  came  from  above. 

What  soul  in  the  world's  hot  mintage 

Such  superscription  hath? 
And  who  alone  trod  such  vintage 

In  the  winepresses  of  God's  wrath? 


THE  SUPREME  GIFT 
John  3  :  16 

Have  you  read  in  history's  pages 

How  the  angels  long  ago 
Came,  as  prophesied  for  ages, 

Marvelous  mysteries  to  foreshow; 
And  the  earth,  so  say  the  sages, 

Hid  her  scars  with  robes  of  snow? 

Suddenly  they  came  out-flaming 
Glory  from  the  courts  above, 

With  a  song  the  news  proclaiming 
While  seraphic  voices  strove 

In  the  mighty  chorus,  naming 
One  to  come,  the  Prince  of  Love. 

Came  they  when  the  night  was  brooding 

Over  lowly  vales  and  rills, 
On  the  shepherd's  watch  intruding, 

With  their  sweetest  notes  and  trills, 
All  the  trembling  ether  flooding 

From  the  stars  to  Judah's  hills. 
92 


Thru  millenniums  moving  slowly, 
Never  since  the  world  began, 

To  the  lofty  ones  and  lowly, 
All  in  sin  and  under  ban, 

Was  there  gift  so  great  and  holy 
As  this  gift  of  God  to  man. 

Yet  it  gave  the  Father  pleasure 
Thus  to  send  His  only  Son, 

Suffering  shame  beyond  all  measure, 
Ere  redemption's  work  was  done, 

Emptying  heaven  of  its  treasure 
That  a  lost  world  might  be  won. 

Silent  be  the  voice  of  mourning 
For  our  lives  so  long  adrift ; 

Let  joy  be  our  soul's  adorning, 
While  our  hearts  in  praise  we  lift 

Unto  God  this  Christmas  morning 
For  His  life-transforming  gift. 

Jesus,  Son  of  the  immortals, 
Let  us  claim  Thee  as  our  own ; 

Thou  dost  guard  the  heavenly  portals; 
In  Thy  hand,  and  Thine  alone, 

Is  the  key  that  opes  to  mortals 
Gates  of  pearl  to  crown  and  throne. 

*  «« 

TO  THE  UTTERMOST 
John  8:  3-1 1 

They  brought,  with  an  impatient  hand, 
A  woman,  with  the  scarlet  brand. 

The  crowd  gave  way,  made  passage  wide, 
In  holy  shame,  unholy  pride. 

93 


"Good  Master,  to  this  case  give  heed, 
For  she  was  taken  in  the  deed. 

"And  death  by  stoning,  Moses  said, 
Should  be  her  fate,  by  sin  misled." 

(Unrecognized  by  them  the  fact, 
Two  must  be  party  to  the  pact.) 

In  modesty  of  soul  profound, 
The  Master  wrote  upon  the  ground. 

The  passing  wind  soon  swept  away 
The  words  He  wrote  in  dust  that  day. 

But  since  the  morning  stars  awoke, 

No  storms  can  drown  the  words  He  spoke. 

"First  let  the  man  now  cast  a  stone, 
Who  guilt  like  hers  has  never  known." 

Again  He  wrote  upon  the  sand, 
But  never  word  of  reprimand. 

The  light  of  morn's  divinest  skies 
Shone  out  in  his  uplifted  eyes. 

"Those  that  accuse  thee,  where  are  they  ?" 
"My  Lord,"  she  said,  "all  gone  their  way." 

In  tones  of  love  that  souls  restore, 
He  softly  spake,  "Go,  sin  no  more." 

How  slow  we  are  to  learn  and  know 
That  heaven  feels  our  deepest  woe; 

That  Jesus  came  to  save  the  lost, 
All,  even  to  the  uttermost. 

94 


AT  HIS  FEET 
John  12:3 

His  words  revealed  the  hidden  things 

That  lift  the  soul  to  larger  life, 
Buoyed  on  Faith's  exultant  wings, 
Above  a  world  deep-scarred  with  strife. 

Passing  sweet 
To  be  a  learner 
At  His  feet. 

An  angel  came  with  noiseless  tread, 

And  touched  the  eyelids — Lazarus  slept ; 
The  sisters  toward  the  Master  sped ; 
Over  the  loved  one  Jesus  wept. 

No  defeat 

Knows  such  a  suppliant 
At  His  feet. 

A  savory  feast  fills  all  the  room ; 

A  welcome  guest  is  at  the  board ; 
Above  the  viands  rise  perfume 

Of  nard  in  lavish  measure  poured. 

What  more  meet 
Than  grateful  lover 
At  His  feet? 

*  «* 

WHEN  MY  SPIRIT  ONCE  IS  FREE 
John  14:1,2,3 

When  my  spirit  once  is  free 

From  this  tenement  of  clay, 

Like  a  dove  I'll  fly  away 
Far  beyond  the  crystal  sea. 

95 


I've  a  mansion  in  that  place, 

Long  prepared  by  Christ  the  Lord, 
For  those  faithful  to  his  word ; 

There  I'll  see  him  face  to  face — 

See  him  for  myself  alone, 
Look  into  his  tender  eyes, 
With  a  sweet  and  glad  surprise, 

And  a  love  before  unknown. 

I  shall  grasp  his  loving  hand, 
That  dear  hand  that  bled  for  me, 
When  'twas  nailed  to  Calvary's  tree, 

By  the  cruel  soldier  band. 

I  shall  hear  his  gentle  voice, 
Speaking  with  a  tenderness, 
Like  a  mother's  sweet  caress, 

Making  heart  and  soul  rejoice. 

I  shall  walk  the  golden  street, 
With  a  nature  undefiled, 
God's  own  loved  and  loving  child, 

In  my  Savior  made  complete, 

There  to  live  in  light  and  truth, 
While  eternal  ages  roll, 
Bearing  on  their  tide  my  soul, 

Vestured  with  immortal  youth. 

ft  ft  ft 

HASTE  THEE,  FRIEND 
John  14 : 6 

Hast  thou  lost  thy  way 
In  the  mazes  of  the  earthly  life, 
Tired  of  wandering  and  weak  thru  strife, 

Lured  by  prospects  that  betray  ? 
96 


Is  thy  path  obscure 
Thru  the  clouds  that  thickly  intervene, 
Hiding  beauties  of  the  distant  scene, 

Art  and  nature's  garniture? 

Has  the  noontide  hour 
Overborne  thee  with  its  scorching  flame, 
Till  all  weak  and  trembling  is  thy  frame, 

Faint  in  every  vital  power  ? 

Is  it  day's  decline, 

When  the  shadows  longer,  darker  grow, 
And  the  skies  with  dying  embers  glow, 

Watchful  waiting  only  thine? 

Eagerly,  my  friend, 
To  the  living  Way,  the  guiding  Truth, 
To  the  perfect  Life,  for  age  or  youth, 

Let  thy  footsteps  bend. 


I  NEED  THEE 
John  14 : 6 

I  need  Thee,  Father,  day  by  day. 
Thou  art  the  true  and  living  Way. 
If  I  am  guided  by  Thy  light, 
Each  day  my  path  will  grow  more  bright. 

I  need  Thee,  Father,  for  the  Truth 
Dwells  not  in  heart  of  age  or  youth ; 
In  Thee  alone  true  wisdom  dwells, 
That  every  anxious  thought  dispels. 

I  need  Thee,  Father,  Thou  art  Life, 
Mid  all  these  scenes  of  woe  and  strife ; 
Let  Thy  Truth  guide  me  in  the  Way 
That  leads  to  life's  eternal  day. 

97 


ABIDE  IN  ME 
John  14:  23 

Abide  in  me,  O  Jesus  Thou 

Who  art  so  full  of  truth  and  grace, 
And  evermore  while  time  shall  last 

Make  Thou  my  heart  Thy  dwelling  place. 
Conform  my  every  thought  and  word, 

My  every  heart-throb  to  Thine  own, 
And  do  Thou  reign  within  my  soul 

Without  a  rival  and  alone. 

Abide  in  me,  Thou  holy  One, 

Thou  who  wast  never  touched  by  sin, 
And  give  me  Thine  own  righteousness, 

And  I  shall  be  all  pure  within. 
Tear  down  the  idols  of  my  hands, 

Restore  Thine  image  to  my  heart, 
And  keep  it  there  by  power  divine, 

Nor  let  it  ever  hence  depart. 

Abide  in  me,  Thou  bleeding  One, 

Thou  who  didst  die  on  Calvary, 
And  neath  the  shadow  of  that  cross 

Which  sins  of  mine  didst  raise  for  Thee, 
I  stay,  and  let  the  cleansing  blood 

That  flowed  so  freely  from  Thy  veins, 
Forever  drip  upon  my  soul, 

Removing  all  of  sin's  dark  stains. 

Abide  in  me,  Thou  mighty  One, 

To  whom  all  power  in  earth  and  heaven, 
To  whom  the  kingdoms  of  this  world, 

And  keys  of  death  and  hell,  are  given; 
And  thru  the  strength  Thy  Spirit  gives, 

I  shall  be  steadfast  to  the  end; 
O'ershadowed  by  Thy  sheltering  wings, 

I  fear  no  evils  that  portend. 

98 


Abide  in  me,  and  I  in  Thee; 

O  let  me  know  that  I  am  Thine, 
I  owned  of  Thee,  and  Thou  of  me, 

And  that  forever  Thou  art  mine; 
And  let  the  love  that  rules  Thy  heart 

Forever  reign  within  my  breast, 
And  guide  me  in  the  way  of  peace 

That  opens  to  eternal  rest. 


THE  PEACE  OF  CHRIST 
John  14  :  27 

Not  the  peace  of  violet  star, 

That  sparkles  on  the  brow  of  night, 

Nor  of  languid  cloud  afar, 
Resplendent  in  the  moon's  clear  light. 

Not  the  peace  of  tranquil  lake, 
That  mirrors  all  the  blue  above, 

Nor  of  idle  ship  whose  wake 
The  sun-kissed  waves  no  longer  move. 

Not  the  peace  of  wooded  dell, 

Where  storms  in  anger  never  beat, 

Nor  of  verdant  prairie  swell, 
Where  dewdrops  crown  the  daisies  sweet. 

But  the  peace  unruffled,  deep, 
That  like  an  anchor  cannot  fail, 

Tho  wild  tempests  rave  and  sweep, 
Held  by  the  rock  within  the  veil. 

'Tis  a  peace  that  feels  no  smart, 

Amid  the  strife  of  slanderous  tongues, 

But  in  triumph  lifts  the  heart 
Above  the  din  in  gladsome  songs. 

99 


Tis  a  peace  that  deeper  grows, 
Tho  persecution  lifts  its  hand, 

Dealing  treacherous,  murderous  blows 
At  bigotry's  insane  command. 

'Tis  a  peace  calm  and  serene, 

Beneath  affliction's  chastening  rod ; 

Naught  of  earth  can  contravene 
The  soul  that's  garrisoned  in  God. 


ABIDE,  DEAR  CHILD,  IN  ME 
John  15:4 

Abide,  dear  child,  in  Me, 

The  gentle  Savior  said, 
And  then  thy  soul  will  ever  be 

In  greenest  pastures  fed. 

Abide,  fair  youth,  in  Me, 

The  loving  Savior  said, 
And  then  thy  feet  will  ever  be 

In  pleasant  pathways  led. 

Abide,  weak  man,  in  Me, 

The  mighty  Savior  said, 
And  then  thy  tongue  will  ready  be 

The  gospel  truth  to  spread. 

Abide,  sad  one,  in  Me, 

The  tender  Savior  said, 
And  then  thy  heart  will  ever  be 

Most  truly  comforted. 


100 


THE  SEAMLESS  COAT 
John  19  :  23 

The  fingers  deft  have  turned  to  dust, 
The  needles  time  consumed  with  rust; 
The  Christ  it  clothed  is  still  our  trust. 

Because  He  wore  Love's  diadem, 
Health  came  to  each  and  all  of  them, 
Who  touched  the  simple  garment's  hem. 

By  lot  the  seamless  coat  was  won, 

By  devotee  of  sword  and  gun, 

And  then  its  power  to  heal  was  done. 

And  men  to-day  the  garments  wear, 
Insignia  of  faith  and  prayer, 
Who  use  the  enginery  of  fear. 

To  some  it  seems  to  matter  not, 

That  cleric  vesture  goes  by  lot, 

To  men  betrayed  by  Mammon's  plot. 

The  power  this  woven  garment  bore, 
That  Christ,  the  Great  Physician,  wore, 
To  man,  O  Lord,  again  restore, 

That  men  and  women  in  distress 

May  push  their  way  thru  crowds  that  press, 

And  currents  feel  that  heal  and  bless. 


NONE  OTHER  NAME 
Acts  4:  12 

No  priest  with  gold-embroidered  stole, 
No  cardinal  with  cap  and  gown, 
No  pope  tho  graced  with  triple  crown, 

Hath  power  to  redeem  a  soul. 
101 


There  is  no  ordinance  or  rite, 
No  water  of  a  running  brook, 
No  blood  of  beast,  untouched  by  yoke, 

Can  make  a  sin-stained  spirit  white. 

No  creed,  however  in  accord 

With  teachings  of  the  Book  divine, 
No  talismanic  word  or  sign, 

Can  man  eternal  life  afford. 

None  other  name  in  depths  beneath, 
None  other  name  in  heights  above, 
Than  Jesus  Christ — Incarnate  Love — 

Can  save  a  mortal  man  from  death. 

nnn 

"THE  SAME  IS  DESERT" 
Acts  8 : 26 

Samaria  was  an  open  door, 
With  treasury  of  souls  in  store. 
Beginning  with  a  woman's  need, 
There  Jesus  sowed  the  goodly  seed. 
And  listening  to  her  wondrous  word, 
A  host  the  good  news  gladly  heard. 
With  prayer  the  reaping  was  begun; 
A  harvest  then  was  quickly  won. 

While  songs  of  joy  were  on  the  blast, 
And  souls  were  being  garnered  fast, 
To  Philip  came  the  Spirit's  voice, 
With  no  alternative  or  choice: 
"Arise,  go  down  to  Gaza,  haste; 
The  same  is  desert,  barren  waste." 
And  he  arose  at  once,  'tis  said, 
On  wings  of  faith  to  Gaza  fled. 
102 


Why  leave  the  thoroughfares  of  men, 
While  harvesting  the  golden  grain? 
Why  wander  on  the  deserts  bare, 
With  here  and  there  a  traveler, 
Who  only  seeks,  perhaps,  forsooth, 
The  oases  of  rest  from  ruth  ? 
Yet  there  is  gold  in  arid  sands, 
And  this  the  Master  understands. 

A  chariot  from  Jerusalem 
Gleams  on  the  desert  like  a  gem. 
"Go,  join  the  man,"  the  Spirit  cried; 
"He  seeks  the  light,  he  needs  a  guide"; 
And  Philip  hastens  to  obey, 
And  shows  the  man  the  living  way, 
Proclaims  the  Lamb  on  Calvary  slain, 
Whose  blood  can  wash  the  sinner's  stain. 

Grace  has  its  treasures  manifold, 

Far  richer  than  the  desert's  gold. 

Go  down  the  dusty  Gaza  road  ; 

There  find  one  bowed  down  with  a  load ; 

Remove  the  burden  that  the  soul 

May  go  rejoicing  to  its  goal 

Of  life  abundant  here,  above, 

From  Him  who  crowns  you  with  His  love. 


SEEKERS  AFTER  GOD 
Acts  10 :  34,  35 

Teacher  of  truth  beyond  his  class  and  age, 
Forerunner  of  a  greater  One,  a  sage 
Whose  vision  pierced  the  veil,  and  saw  the  life, 
Unmarred  by  sin  and  sacrilege  and  strife, 

103 


He  drank  the  hemlock  with  the  simple  faith 
Of  one  who  sees  beyond  no  day  of  wrath; 
Truly  tho  error  may  have  marked  his  code, 
Thus  lived  and  died  a  seeker  after  God. 

Three  times  a  day,  year  after  weary  year, 
Stylites  lifted  holy  hands  in  prayer, 
On  stately  column  high  above  the  earth, 
Above  its  sensualities  and  mirth, 
Till  human  passions  perished  one  by  one, 
And  senses  failed  and  died  thru  blast  and  sun ; 
"Surely,"  I  said,  as  these  low  wastes  I  trod, 
"Here  was  in  truth  a  seeker  after  God." 

In  the  recesses  of  a  convent's  gloom, 

A  Kempis  wrote  as  in  a  living  tomb, 

And  yet  a  light  beamed  from  that  dismal  cell 

That  for  the  Kingdom  age  on  ages  tell. 

He  shunned  the  paths  of  men,  and  only  sought 

The  deeper  certitudes  the  Spirit  taught, 

A  plain  recluse  in  unadorned  abode, 

Thus  lived  this  tireless  seeker  after  God. 

Slowly  and  reverently  upon  his  knees 
He  climbed  the  marble  stairway,  ill  at  ease, 
Where  years  agone,  mid  scenes  most  tragical, 
His  Lord  was  led  to  Pilate's  judgment  hall. 
A  voice  spake  to  his  soul  as  from  the  sky — 
"The  just  shall  live  by  faith.    Arise  and  fly." 
Here  too  upon  a  rough  and  thorny  road, 
We  find  an  earnest  seeker  after  God. 

I  passed  a  great  cathedral's  massive  doors, 
And  gazed  at  gorgeous  windows,  inlaid  floors ; 
Was  awed  to  silence  by  its  pomp  and  show, 
Its  soft-robed  dignitaries,  high  and  low ; 
Its  music,  making  tremulous  the  air, 
Would  turn  a  heart  of  stone  to  praise  and  prayer ; 
As  reverently  these  stately  courts  I  trod, 
"These  too,"  I  said,  "are  seekers  after  God." 

104 


It  was  a  quiet  fifth  day  afternoon, 
Amid  the  splendors  of  the  month  of  June, 
With  simple-hearted,  plain-dressed  villagers, 
I  sought  the  house  sacred  to  worshipers ; 
The  spirit  of  communion  filled  the  air, 
Unbroken  by  the  voice  in  song  or  prayer ; 
As  silently  this  meeting  place  I  trod, 
"These  too,"  I  said,  "are  seekers  after  God." 

I  sought  the  woods  one  gladsome  summer  day, 
Where  tents  stood  as  in  battle's  fierce  array ; 
Yet  not  for  war  they  came,  but  war's  surcease, 
And  in  the  name  of  Him  called  Prince  of  Peace, 
They  prayed  that  men,  forsaking  sin  and  strife, 
Let  law  of  love  become  the  law  of  life ; 
And  as  in  God's  first  temples  there  I  stood, 
"These  too,"  I  said,  "are  seekers  after  God." 

Before  a  thousand  worshipers  of  Baal 

The  prophet  stood  alone,  his  only  mail 

The  arms  Almighty,  tho  invisible, 

Of  Him  whose  immanence  the  world  doth  fill; 

The  only  servant  left  he  seemed  to  be, 

Yet  seven  thousand  had  not  bent  the  knee ; 

Unknown  to  man,  and  yet  well  known  they  stood 

As  steadfast  children  to  the  one  true  God. 

In  every  age,  in  every  land  and  clime, 
Back  of  the  era  of  recorded  time, 
There  have  been  men  who  wrought  in  righteousness, 
Who  feared  the  Lord,  and  lived  mankind  to  bless ; 
Imperfect  and  yet  blameless  in  their  lives, 
With  them  the  Spirit  ever  strove,  still  strives, 
To  lead  them  in  the  way  the  saints  have  trod, 
And  thus  become  true  worshipers  of  God. 


105 


THE  SOUL'S  AWAKENING 
Acts  12:  7,  8,  9 

My  soul  slept  long  behind  the  bars, 

The  iron  bars  of  fear ; 
I  saw  no  skies,  I  saw  no  stars, 

I  heard  no  song  of  cheer. 

There  were  no  voices  in  the  breeze, 
That  swept  the  wooded  hills ; 

No  music  in  the  murmuring  seas, 
No  sweetness  in  the  rills. 

I  saw  no  splendor  in  the  cloud, 

No  majesty  in  tree; 
My  heart  took  pleasure  in  the  crowd, 

In  scenes  of  vanity. 

The  warbling  of  the  wayside  bird 

No  melody  enshrined; 
No  note  responsively  it  stirred 

In  my  quiescent  mind. 

The  daisy  springing  from  the  sod 
Was  but  a  common  weed; 

It  spoke  no  messages  from  God 
To  serve  my  mortal  need. 

I  had  no  glimpse  of  hands  that  move, 

Transforming  continents ; 
Nor  did  I  know  that  feet  of  love 

Were  in  world-wide  events. 

As  to  the  saint,  an  angel  came 

Into  my  prison's  cell, 
And  pierced  me  with  an  eye  of  flame, 

And  broke  the  siren  spell. 
106 


He  bade  me  put  my  sandals  on, 
And  heed  his  beck  and  call ; 

His  charm  of  face  my  spirit  won, 
And  held  me  as  in  thrall. 

The  massive  door  swung  open  wide, 

And  I  with  mind  a-daze, 
Clung  closely  to  the  angel's  side, 

In  city's  devious  ways. 

The  gates  that  I  could  not  unbar, 

Or  pay  the  meager  toll, 
He  opened,  till  the  morning  star 

Had  risen  on  my  soul. 

Then  when  around  my  conscious  feet 

Were  beams  of  living  light, 
And  I  was  in  the  beaten  street, 

He  vanished  from  my  sight. 

Tho  of  this  heavenly  guide  denied, 

There  came  an  inner  voice 
To  speak  in  troubles  that  betide — 

The  chancery  of  choice. 

Gate  after  gate  has  hedged  my  way, 
And  some  appalled  me  much; 

By  faith  I  overcame  dismay — 
They  opened  at  my  touch. 

I've  wandered  east,  I've  wandered  west, 
For  life's  best  gift  and  goal, 

Yet  found  it,  after  every  quest, 
In  deeps  of  my  own  soul. 

The  kingdom  fair  of  heaven  and  health 

Is  only  found  within; 
The  sum  of  earthly  weal  and  wealth 

Is  spirit  healed  of  sin. 
107 


I  still  am  climbing  up  the  ways 

That  I  have  trodden  long; 
Upon  my  lips  a  psalm  of  praise, 

And  in  my  heart  a  song. 

I  see  a  portal  in  the  skies, 

Above  the  heights  afar, 
Where  loved  ones  watch  with  longing  eyes, 

Beyond  sun,  moon,  and  star. 

A  Father  at  this  pearly  gate 

Scans  mountains  high  and  wild, 

And  with  a  love  importunate, 
Sees  his  returning  child. 

We  soon  shall  know  as  we  are  known, 

And  feel  the  old-time  bliss 
Of  tender  arms  around  us  thrown, 

And  mother's  welcome  kiss. 

With  robes  of  royalty  attired, 

And  ring  upon  the  hand, 
By  wine  of  heaven's  joy  inspired, 

We'll  wait  the  Lord's  command. 

*  *  * 

LYDIA 
Acts  16:  14 

Gentle  south  winds  o'er  the  meadow 

Drive  away  the  chilling  snows ; 
Sunshine  touches  thorny  bushes, 

Saying,  "Open,  beauteous  rose"; 
Spirit  of  the  great  Jehovah 

Life  to  dead  souls  doth  impart; 
At  the  Master's  touch  they  open — 

Thus  was  opened  Lydia's  heart. 
108 


Darkness,  like  a  somber  curtain, 

Doth  the  earth  and  sea  enfold, 
But  it  vanishes  when  morning 

Burnishes  the  sky  with  gold ; 
Quickly  sin  and  sorrow's  darkness 

Doth  from  human  souls  depart, 
When  the  Son  of  God  approaches — 

Thus  was  opened  Lydia's  heart. 

*  *  * 

THE  BROTHERHOOD  OF  MAN 
Acts  17:  26 

Diogenes,  the  Cynic, 

One  day  was  seen  alone, 
Absorbed  in  meditation, 

And  in  each  hand  a  bone; 
And  as  with  piercing  vision, 

He  both  did  closely  scan, 
He  learned  the  old,  old  lesson — 

The  brotherhood  of  man. 

One  bone  was  that  of  Cyrus, 

The  warrior  of  renown ; 
The  other  was  a  beggar's, 

Used  to  misfortune's  frown  ; 
No  difference  he  discovered 

In  texture  or  in  plan ; 
They  taught  the  same  great  lesson — 

The  brotherhood  of  man. 

No  matter  what  the  station, 

The  poverty  or  pelf, 
Each  one  upon  God's  footstool 

Possesses  in  himself 
A  something  'neath  the  surface, 

Let  it  be  white  or  tan, 
That  makes  of  him  a  member 

Of  the  brotherhood  of  man. 
109 


He  may  be  French  or  German, 

Or  ignorant  Hottentot, 
A  Chinaman  or  Negro, 

It  verily  matters  not ; 
For  in  their  mortal  members 

There  runs,  and  ever  ran, 
The  same  red  tide  that  floweth 

Thru  the  brotherhood  of  man. 

One  may  be  rich  as  Dives, 

With  goods  in  plenteous  store ; 
The  other  poor  as  Lazarus, 

All  helpless  at  his  door; 
They  have  a  common  Father, 

Let  him  deny  who  can ; 
Belong  to  one  great  family — 

The  brotherhood  of  man. 

Then  let  this  truth  eternal 

Sink  deeply  in  thy  soul, 
That  every  human  being 

Is  part  of  one  great  whole; 
And  be  he  king  or  peasant, 

Or  queen  or  courtesan, 
They  all  have  lot  in  common 

In  the  brotherhood  of  man. 

My  dearest  friends  and  brothers, 

In  human  toil  and  strife, 
We're  each  and  all  another's 

In  being  and  in  life ; 
To  help  a  needy  mortal, 

We  all  are  under  ban ; 
Let  us  be  worthy  members 

Of  the  brotherhood  of  man. 


no 


THE  DIVINE  POTTER 
Rom.  9:21 

Thine  I  am,  O  Lord,  to  fashion, 
With  an  infinite  compassion, 
As  the  potter  on  his  wheel 
Molds  the  vessel  as  he  will. 

Of  all  gifts  Thou  art  the  donor; 

Give  me  shame  or  give  me  honor, 
So  Thy  name  exalted  is, 
Thru  my  sorrow  or  my  bliss. 

Thine  my  soul,  with  weakness,  power, 
What  Thou  choosest  be  its  dower; 
Mounting  up  on  eagle's  wings, 
Drinking  at  life's  bitter  springs. 

Thine  my  heart  is,  take  it,  seal  it; 
I  would  do  Thy  will.    Reveal  it, 

As  I  walk  the  heavenly  way, 

In  the  light  of  coming  day. 

Thine  my  years,  tho  few  and  dreary, 
Or  old  age  that's  winsome,  cheery, 

Fearing  naught  that  may  betide, 

If  in  me  Thou  dost  abide. 

*  ft* 

IT  WON'T  BE  LONG 
Rom.  13 : 12 

It  won't  be  long 
Till  the  silver  cord  is  loosed, 

And  the  golden  bowl  is  broken ; 
When  in  the  tenderest  tones  of  love, 
Sad  and  low  farewells  are  spoken. 
It  won't  be  long, 
in 


It  won't  be  long 
Till  a  sweet  and  heavenly  calm 

Shall  descend  upon  my  spirit, 
And  I  dwell  in  mansions  fair, 
That  thru  Christ  I  shall  inherit. 
It  won't  be  long. 

It  won't  be  long 
Till  my  eyes  shall  close  in  death, 

But  to  open  in  the  glory 
Of  my  Savior  on  his  throne, 
Told  so  long  in  song  and  story. 
It  won't  be  long. 

It  won't  be  long 
Till  I  walk  the  streets  of  gold, 

Mid  the  scenes  of  life  supernal, 
When  the  jarring  sounds  of  earth 
Shall  be  changed  to  songs  eternal. 
It  won't  be  long. 

*** 

RICHES 
i  Cor.  3 : 21 

You  think  that  I  am  poor. 
'Tis  true  I  have  no  foot  of  land, 
No  herds  or  flocks, 
No  bonds  or  stocks, 
No  palaces  that  lure 
To  pride  and  pleasure  few  withstand. 

Yet  I  have  wondrous  wealth, 
The  wealth  that  has  no  hidden  wings ; 
By  faith  divine 
Is  ever  mine 

The  soul's  abounding  Health 
And  Hope  that  in  my  bosom  sings. 
112 


The  silver  of  the  cloud, 
The  gold  of  autumn's  eventide, 
I  own  in  fee; 
The  luxury 

Of  air  and  light  my  frame  enshroud 
To  me  has  never  been  denied. 

The  splendor  of  the  stars 
I  claim  as  heaven's  loving  gift; 
Their  gladsome  rays 
Reveal  the  ways 
From  gloomy  prison  bars, 
And  into  nobler  life  uplift. 

The  beauty  of  the  hills, 
The  grandeur  of  the  mountain  height, 
The  charm  of  wold 
So  manifold, 
The  music  of  the  rills, 
Mine  are  they  all  by  vested  right. 

The  love  of  hearts  is  mine, 
A  treasure  Croesus  could  not  buy; 
And  friendships  true, 
Untouched  by  rue, 
That  royal  souls  enshrine, 
Long  after  suns  burn  out  and  die. 

*** 


GOD  ALL  AND  IN  ALL 

i  Cor.  12:  6 

The  tiniest  daisy  on  the  wold, 

The  largest  sun  that  flies  in  space, 

In  signal  measure  doth  enfold 

The  God  of  beauty,  life,  and  grace. 


The  zephyr  wafted  o'er  the  sward, 
In  whispers  breathes  the  sacred  name  ; 

The  mighty  storm  unsheathes  his  sword, 
In  thunder  stroke,  in  lightning  flame. 

The  fire  that  glows  on  cotter's  hearth, 
That  sweeps  the  forests  from  the  land, 

And  seethes  in  hidden  caves  of  earth, 
Was  lit  by  his  Almighty  hand. 

We  see  His  mercy  in  the  eyes 
That  look  in  pity  on  the  lost; 

Behold  His  majesty  in  skies, 

Resplendent  with  the  stellar  host. 

The  river  images  His  peace 

Serene  in  hearts  that  keep  His  truth; 
The  treasures  of  the  winds  ne'er  cease 

To  bless  the  aged  and  the  youth. 

No  sinner  ever  falls  so  low 
Who  has  not  still  a  spark  divine, 

On  which  if  breeze  of  heaven  blow, 
A  saintly  soul  will  rise  and  shine. 

In  earthquakes  that  the  mountains  move, 
In  nations'  or  a  sparrow's  fall, 

Is  seen  the  arm  of  power  and  love  — 
Almighty  God,  all  and  in  all. 


FAITH,  HOPE,  LOVE 

i  Cor.  13  :  13 

Faith  is  a  star  that  with  unsullied  ray 
Shines  on,  invisible  to  man  by  day, 
But  when  the  darkness  comes,  its  welcome  light 
Brings  Hope  to  human  hearts  in  nature's  night  ; 
It  gives  light  freely,  as  the  One  above 
Bestows  good  gifts  to  man,  and  this  is  Love. 
114 


Faith  is  a  flower  springing  from  the  sod, 
With  face  turned  ever  toward  the  light  of  God ; 
When  beaten  to  the  earth  by  storm  and  rain, 
Tis  Hope  that  lifts  it  toward  the  sun  again; 
It  fills  its  mission  if  it  but  imparts 
A  Love  of  beauty  unto  human  hearts. 

Faith  is  a  bird  that  on  unfettered  wings 

Mounts  upward  ever  and  exultant  sings; 

While  Hope  beams  brightly  from  its  upturned  eye, 

In  quest  of  visions  that  beyond  it  lie; 

Its  flight  is  tireless  till  in  realms  above 

It  nestles  in  the  eternal  heart  of  Love. 

*  It  * 


THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST 
Gal.  6 : 14 

O  blessed  Lord,  may  I  behold, 

Beneath  the  glitter  and  the  gloss, 
Beneath  the  rites  and  rituals  old, 

The  hidden  meaning  of  the  cross; 
That  to  deny  my  base  desires 

Will  only  end  the  inner  strife; 
The  soul,  thru  sacrificial  fires, 

Can  only  gain  eternal  life. 

Whoever  willingly  forsakes 

All  earthly  fortune,  power,  and  fame, 
Whose  spirit  falters  not,  nor  quakes 

At  persecution's  grievous  flame; 
Who  daily  dies  to  worldly  pride, 

And  glories  in  the  cross  alone, 
He  in  Jehovah  doth  abide, 

And  shall  receive  the  victor's  crown. 


High  on  the  hill  of  Calvary 

There  stands  the  royal  throne  of  love, 
And  nations  far,  and  nations  nigh, 

With  steady  footsteps  toward  it  move ; 
And  facing  this,  with  silent  tread, 

The  soul  and  center  of  our  sphere, 
To  brotherhood  all  shall  be  led, 

When  dawns  the  last  Sabbatic  year. 

H  H  * 

LOVE'S  LAST  TOKEN 
Eph.  2 : 4,  5 

All  down  earth's  flying  cycles,  since  time  his  course 

began 
The  tokens  of  His  goodness  God  multiplies  to  man. 

He  gives  the  day  for  labor,  for  peaceful  rest  the  night; 
The  darkness  has  its  mission,  as  truly  as  the  light. 

Thru  aeons  after  aeons  He  turned  the  rocks  to  soil, 
That  burdens  earth  with  harvests  responsive  to  man's 
toil. 

The  morn  distils  the  dewdrops,  the  evening  brings  the 

showers, 
That  clothe  the  land  with  verdure,  and  garnish  it  with 

flowers. 

When  glorious  day  declineth,  and  night  her  gate  un 
bars, 

He  floods  the  night  with  beauty,  the  beauty  of  the 
stars. 

From  Sinai's  effulgence,  He  gave  eternal  laws, 
For  man's  uplift  and  progress  in  every  righteous  cause. 

116 


And  in  his  deeper  nature  He  gave  a  voice  and  guide, 
That  heeded,  would  bring  safely  thru  evils  that  betide. 

In  all  the  darker  problems  that  might  his  way  befall, 
He  promised  him  His  Spirit  to  profit  him  withal. 

Still  fuller  revelations  He  gave  thru  holy  men, 
That  man,  thru  faith  victorious,  might  future  glory 
gain. 

A  storm  may  beat  upon  him,  it  cannot  cast  him  down ; 
A  flood  of  waters  threaten,  it  cannot,  will  not  drown. 

The  pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness  shall  not  harm 
The  trustful  soul  reposing  on  God's  almighty  arm. 

Nor  shall  the  subtle  tempter  pluck  from  the  Lord's 

right  hand 
The  souls  that  on  the  Shepherd's  eternal  promise  stand. 

With  songs  of  joy  the  angels  proclaimed  the  wondrous 

birth 
Of  One  whose  humble  advent  meant  peace  o'er  all  the 

earth. 

He  left  the  throne  of  glory,  He  bore  the  untold  loss ; 
Left  heaven's  exaltation,  for  Calvary's  rugged  cross. 

And  this  is  love's  last  token,  its  final  gift  to  man ; 
The  gift  in  consummation  of  God's  eternal  plan. 

*  *  * 

AWAKE,  MY  SOUL 

Eph.  5 :  14 

Awake,  my  soul,  thou  hast  too  long 

Reclined  on  beds  of  ease; 
Go  forth,  and  hear  the  greeting  song 

To  morn  of  waving  trees; 
Regale  thy  thirsty  heart  and  tongue 

With  wine  upon  the  lees. 
117 


Awake,  my  soul,  night's  shepherdess 

Has  folded  all  the  stars ; 
Go  forth,  and  in  forget  fulness 

Of  dreams  of  vengeful  Mars, 
Behold  Aurora's  gentleness, 

As  she  her  host  unbars. 

Awake,  my  soul,  and  greet  the  day 
With  Hope's  alluring  song, 

And  with  a  faith  unyielding  pray 
That  God  will  make  thee  strong 

In  Him,  the  Life,  the  Truth,  the  Way, 
To  war  against  the  wrong. 

Awake,  my  soul,  the  manna  lies 

In  plenty  at  thy  feet — 
The  food  for  which  thy  spirit  cries, 

Life-giving,  wholesome,  sweet, 
To  inner,  outer  ears  and  eyes — 

For  thy  whole  being  meet. 

Awake,  my  soul,  behold  the  Sun 
Of  Righteousness,  whose  wings 

To  earth's  most  evil-tortured  one 
The  gift  of  healing  brings ; 

For  whose  arising,  heaven,  in  tune 
With  nature,  joys  and  sings. 

nnn 


"CHRIST  IN  YOU" 
Col.  i :  27 

When  I  am  laid  beneath  the  sod, 

And  friends  around  my  grave  shall  tread, 
Let  them  not  mourn  that  I  am  dead, 

Nor  sound  my  few  good  deeds  abroad. 
118 


I've  tried  to  love  my  fellow  men, 
And  walk  in  un  forbidden  ways, 
Tho  brief  the  measure  of  my  days, 

Or  far  beyond  three  score  and  ten. 

If  I  have  dried  one  mourner's  tear, 
Or  hushed  one  orphan's  wailing  cry, 
Or  checked  with  loving  word  one  sigh, 

Or  helped  one  soul  its  burden  bear; 

If  I  have  led  into  the  light 
One  spirit  from  its  night  of  sin, 
Or  one  lost  wanderer  helped  to  win 

To  ways  of  peace,  and  truth,  and  right; 

If  I  have  caused  one  heart  to  raise 
Its  voice  to  God  in  prayer  or  song, 
To  Thee,  and  not  to  me,  belong, 

O  Christ,  my  Savior,  all  the  praise. 

For  I  have  only  lived  in  Thee, 

And  if  my  heart  was  ruled  by  love, 
Its  birth  and  life  came  from  above, 

And  Christ  has  lived  again  in  me. 


*** 

THE  HOUR  OF  PRAYER 
i  Tim.  2 :  i 

I  hear  the  deep-toned  evening  bell 

That  calls  to  prayer; 
A  joyful  sound  of  praise  is  borne 

Upon  the  air. 

119 


There  go  the  thoughtful  worshipers, 

With  true  desire, 
That  on  each  waiting  heart  may  come 

Refining  fire. 

The  gray-haired  sire  with  wrinkled  brow, 

But  smiling  face, 
With  heart  attuned  to  heavenly  praise, 

Is  in  his  place. 

The  man  who  bears  the  noonday's  heat, 

Tho  worn  with  toil, 
Rejoices  here  to  spend  an  hour 

From  mammon's  moil. 

The  youthful  follower  of  the  Lord, 

With  steady  tread, 
Comes  that  he  may  receive  from  Christ 

The  living  bread. 

They  talk  of  mercies  rich  and  free 

That  God  bestows; 
Recount  the  blessings  of  their  lives, 

And  not  their  woes. 

A  venerable  saint  speaks  of  the  time, 

When  first  forgiven ; 
Tells  of  the  joy  that  fills  his  heart 

In  hope  of  heaven. 

A  young  disciple  longs  to  stay, 

To  work  and  win, 
With  loving  words,  soul  after  soul 

From  ways  of  sin. 

They  all  revere  and  love  and  praise 

Their  common  Lord; 
And  strengthen  and  refresh  their  souls 

Upon  His  Word. 
1 20 


And  as  they  sing  with  joyful  hearts 

"Nearer  to  Thee," 
Each  soul  comes  nearer  to  the  Rock, 

That's  "cleft  for  me." 


CONTENTMENT 
i  Tim.  6  :  6 

A  daisy  lifts  its  head  upon  the  sward, 

And  drinks  with  eagerness  the  evening  dew, 
And  hails  with  joyous  face  the  rising  day. 
It  gives  no  sign  of  a  complaining  word, 
Because  of  other  flowers  of  rarer  hue; 

It  blooms  and  grows  and  gently  fades  away. 

A  humble  songster  in  the  forest  aisles 
Throws  out  upon  the  air  a  simple  lay, 

As  gentle  summer  swiftly  flies  along; 
No  discontent  its  cheerful  note  defiles  ; 
It  sings  its  sweetest  song  day  after  day, 
Nor  envies  mates  of  more  melodious  song. 

A  star  shines  in  the  deep  ethereal  blue, 
A  little  star  unseen  by  mortal  eye, 

Encircled  by  great  orbs  of  fairer  light  ; 
Yet  to  its  little  sphere  'tis  ever  true, 
And  in  its  beams  no  trace  of  jealousy, 

As  age  on  age  it  shines  undimmed  and  bright. 

O  mortal  man,  whatever  be  thy  lot, 

Let  sweet  contentment  fill  thy  inmost  soul  ; 

Thy  fellow  men  may  be  more  great  and  wise, 
More  honored  by  the  world;  it  matters  not; 
Only  be  true,  as  needle  to  its  pole, 
To  self  and  God,  here  all  the  honor  lies. 

121 


FORMALISM 
2  Tim.  3 :  5 

Churches,  churches  everywhere, 
Pointing  toward  the  mansions  fair, 
Yet  with  little  power  to  win 
Man  from  ways  of  shame  and  sin. 

Form  transplants  the  old-time  faith — 
Sign  of  nearing  Day  of  Wrath ; 
Ever  quick  to  learn,  forsooth, 
Slow  to  gain  and  hold  the  truth. 

Light  thru  pictured  windows  pours 
Beauty  on  the  inlaid  floors; 
That  which  should  shine  from  within 
Lays  not  bare  the  hidden  sin. 

Gorgeous  transepts,  frescoed  walls 
Echo  not  to  sobbing  calls 
Of  strong  souls  bowed  down  in  pain, 
Struggling  to  be  born  again. 

Fashion,  pity  'tis,  'tis  true, 
Rules  the  pulpit  and  the  pew ; 
Interest  centers  not  in  deed, 
Nor  in  Christ  so  much  as  creed. 

Preacher  caters  to  the  crowd, 
Hardly  dares  to  speak  aloud 
Of  the  avarice  that  rules 
In  the  hearts  of  Mammon's  tools. 

There's  no  John  the  Baptist  now, 
With  bare  feet  and  sunburnt  brow, 
And  a  soul  with  one  intent, 
Calling  sinners  to  repent. 
122 


Charger  holding  bloody  head 
Disappears,  and  now,  instead, 
Chafing  dishes  take  the  place 
Neath  the  smiling  parson's  face. 

Times  are  sadly  out  of  joint ; 
Chimes  and  churches  disappoint; 
Many  claim  a  sainthood  high, 
Yet  we  know  they  live  a  lie. 

Kneeling  early  in  the  day, 
They  "Our  Father"  softly  say, 
And  before  the  purple  eve 
Some  poor  brother  sorely  grieve. 

Yet,  and  yet  the  world  is  wise, 
And  more  luminous  the  skies ; 
With  a  sweeter  sunlight  glows 
That  shall  banish  all  earth's  woes. 

While  bad  men  grow  worse  and  worse, 
Yet  each  day  the  awful  curse, 
Bane  and  blight  of  every  race, 
Unto  righteousness  gives  place, 

And  the  Truth  that  makes  man  free 
Soon  shall  reign  from  sea  to  sea, 
And  all  men  shall  know  the  Lord 
And  the  power  of  His  Word. 

Soon  the  Christ  of  Nazareth, 
Conqueror  of  sin  and  death, 
Shall  return  to  earth  made  whole, 
Thru  the  travail  of  His  soul. 


123 


TOTAL  DEPRAVITY 
Titus  i :  15 

A  wind  of  doctrine,  in  its  flight 

Increasing  to  a  gust, 
That  blinds  the  bigot's  waning  sight 

With  theologic  dust. 

Because  some  men,  moved  from  beneath, 

To  demons  seem  akin, 
He  holds  that  every  mortal  breath 

Is  poisonous  with  sin. 

All  life  in  bird  or  beast  or  man, 

In  tree  or  shrub  or  vine, 
Has  common  origin  and  plan 

Of  infinite  design. 

The  humblest  flowers  that  push  their  way 

Thru  slowly  yielding  sod, 
And  kiss  the  morning's  purple  ray 

Are  all  instinct  with  God. 

Each  blade  of  grass  upon  the  plain, 
Each  weed  by  zephyrs  blown, 

Are  living  links  that  form  the  chain, 
That  binds  us  to  a  throne. 

That  throne  is  Love,  eternal  Love, 

The  mystery  of  life. 
Beginning  in  the  realms  above, 

And  ending  earthly  strife. 

The  inharmonic  note  we  hear 

May  have  the  one  design 
To  make  the  chords  more  sweet  and  clear, 

In  symphonies  divine. 
124 


To  every  soul  there  is  a  door; 

Some  sage  led  by  a  star, 
Who  seeks  Love's  image  to  restore, 

Will  find  the  door  ajar. 

"Unto  the  pure  all  things  are  pure"- 
A  law  by  heaven  spoken ; 

Nor  can  its  logic  or  its  lure 
Be  circumscribed  or  broken. 


*  *  * 

OBEDIENCE  THRU  SUFFERING 
Heb.  5:8 

I  prayed  for  light.    My  soul  was  led 
Into  the  ghostly  gloom  of  night; 
Despondency,  with  bane  and  blight, 

Invested  me  in  dole  and  dread ; 
Submissively  I  sought  the  way, 
That  brighter  grows  from  day  to  day. 

I  prayed  for  strength,  and  in  the  dust 
Long  prostrate,  and  too  weak  to  rise, 
Upon  the  hills  I  fixed  my  eyes, 

Until  my  heart  of  hearts  could  trust 
In  God  alone  for  inward  power, 
In  every  tempting,  testing  hour. 

I  prayed  for  patience.    Soon  a  thorn 

Began  to  rankle  in  my  side, 

And  tribulation's  angry  tide 
Engulfed  me  in  dismay  and  scorn; 

In  calmness  I  possessed  my  soul, 

And  found  the  joy  of  self-control. 

125 


I  prayed  for  love.    The  words  of  hate, 
Like  poisoned  arrows  pierced  my  breast, 
And  waves  of  malice,  crest  on  crest, 

Left  me  submerged,  disconsolate, 
Until  I  learned  to  suffer  wrong, 
And  welcome  hatred  with  a  song. 

I  prayed  for  peace,  and  conflicts  came, 
And  in  the  jungles  of  my  life 
There  raged  the  furious  beasts  of  strife, 

And  passions  leaped  into  a  flame. 

"First  pure ;  then  peaceable," — my  woes, 
Thru  Christ  my  Saviour,  wrought  repose. 

*  It  * 

THE  GOD  OF  PATIENCE 
James  5 : 7 

I  planted  once  some  precious  seed, 
That  grew  into  a  beauteous  vine, 

But  for  my  patient  care  long  days 
No  semblance  of  reward  was  mine. 

At  length  its  opening  buds  and  bloom 

Regaled  me  with  its  rich  perfume. 

Down  in  a  little  fertile  field 

I  set  a  thrifty  tree  one  day; 
Year  after  year  I  watched  it  grow, 

And  after  wearisome  delay 
It  cast  its  fruitage  rare  and  sweet 
In  wondrous  plenty  at  my  feet. 

Within  the  garden  of  my  heart, 
All  thru  the  years  from  early  youth 

The  Lord  has  sown  the  seeds  of  hope 
And  love  and  righteousness  and  truth; 

My  garden  still  is  desolate, 

And  yet  the  Lord  doth  watch  and  wait. 
126 


DAY  OF  VENGEANCE 
2  Pet.  2 : 2,  3 

Ye  lords  and  captains  of  the  earth, 
Who  hold  in  fee  the  souls  of  men, 

Souls  exiled  from  the  land  of  mirth, 
Are  ye  beyond  Jehovah's  ken? 

The  men  who  delve  in  mine-shaft  cold, 
And  perish  in  its  stifling  breath, 

Does  not  their  blood  besmirch  your  gold? 
Are  not  ye  guilty  of  their  death? 

And  hear  ye  not  the  widow's  cry, 
Nor  yet  the  orphan's  piercing  wail? 

Will  not  their  echoes  reach  the  sky, 
And  with  the  heart  of  heaven  avail? 

Ye  lords  and  captains  who  grow  rich 
On  toils  and  tortures  of  the  poor, 

Who  crawl  in  city's  slum  and  ditch — 
This  is  your  Greed's  base  portraiture. 

For  wrongs  against  the  multitude, 
As  sure  as  God  sits  on  His  throne, 

Unless  a  stranger  to  all  good, 
Ye  must  some  coming  day  atone. 

Shame  on  the  gift  of  millionaire, 
Inspired  of  conscience  ill  at  ease, 

In  city  park  and  thoroughfare, 

The  common  herd  to  blind — and  please. 

Cemented  with  the  blood  of  men, 

There  come  from  deep  foundation  stone 

Dire  poverty's  shrill  cry  of  pain 
And  hunger's  agonizing  groan. 
127 


Come,  day  of  vengeance,  day  of  ire, 
When  Justice  shall  unsheath  her  sword, 

And  once  again  the  God  of  fire 
Shall  answer  at  Elijah's  word. 

May  sons  of  Moloch,  priests  of  Baal, 

And  every  devotee  of  Lust, 
Be  brought  to  some  low  Kishon  vale, 

And  there  be  made  to  bite  the  dust, 

Till  Labor  has  its  honest  meed, 

Vouchsafed  to  man  by  right  of  birth, 

Till  Righteousness  in  thought  and  deed 
Shall  glorify  the  ends  of  earth. 


HATE 
i  John  3  :  15 

Hate  is  an  unseen  boomerang, 
Returning  with  unerring  aim, 

With  subtle  poison  in  its  fang, 
Defiling  thrower's  heart  and  name. 

Begotten  in  a  strong  dislike, 

It  slowly  grows  on  what  it  feeds; 

Then  follows  its  returning  strike 
An  impulse  for  revengeful  deeds. 

The  subject  of  our  ruthless  ire, 

No  irritation  feels,  or  pain  ; 
With  even  tenor  and  desire, 

He  seeks  life's  highest  gift  and  gain. 

But  we,  forsooth,  can  see  no  good 
Or  grace  in  object  of  our  hate; 

No  act  of  his  is  understood, 

Because  of  our  disordered  state. 
128 


With  sight  distorted,  almost  blind, 
And  anger  ruling  heart  and  hand, 

All  higher  instincts  undermined, 
We  bear  Cain's  ignominious  brand. 


FEAR 
i  John  4  :  18 

A  figment  simply  of  the  brain, 
A  passing  shadow  on  the  soul, 

Cast  by  a  cloud  that  holds  no  rain, 
Of  unknown  origin  or  goal. 

'Tis  less  ethereal  than  the  air, 
Yet,  acted  on  by  unseen  force, 

Foments  a  tempest  of  despair, 

With  wreck  and  ruin  in  its  course. 

Eternal  Goodness,  like  a  bow 

Of  seven-hued  glory  in  the  cloud, 

Gives  pledge  no  waters  shall  o'erflow 
The  heart  of  man  with  sorrow  bowed. 

Whatever  state  the  fates  may  give, 
The  spirit  still  has  place  and  power  ; 

The  body  is  the  fugitive, 

That  time  and  circumstance  deflower. 

There  is  a  secret  energy, 

A  dynamo  of  subtle  Good, 
That  rules  in  earth,  and  air  and  sky, 

But  never  found  in  flesh  and  blood. 

This  secret  is  immortal  Love, 

The  Love  that  feels  and  knows  no  fear  ; 
That  notes  all  things,  below,  above, 

The  falling  of  a  world  —  or  tear. 
129 


Amid  life's  perilous  alarms, 

This  Love  enfolds  us  day  and  night, 
More  tenderly  than  mother's  arms, 

More  closely  than  the  air  or  light. 

*  *  4 

LIFE 
i  John  5 : 12 

Tis  not  a  dogma,  nor  in  creed, 

Nor  formalism's  empty  show 
You  find  an  answer  to  the  need 

Of  man  in  sin  and  shame  and  woe. 
'Tis  love  that  conquers  in  the  strife — 
The  soul  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life. 

There  is  no  virtue  in  the  cross ; 

'Tis  but  a  stick  of  common  wood, 
Unless  it  stands  for  death  and  loss, 

By  an  atonement  made  in  blood. 
This  truth  means  triumph  in  the  strife  — 
The  soul  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life. 

The  soul's  development  requires 
Submission,  tho  your  cause  be  just ; 

The  Saviour  passed  thru  hate's  hot  fires, 
Perfecting  thus  His  holy  trust ; 

Humility  wins  in  the  strife — 

The  soul  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life. 

He  is  the  Truth,  the  living  Truth, 
And  He  the  Way,  the  only  Way ; 

The  stay  of  age,  the  guide  of  youth, 
The  Burden-Bearer  day  by  day. 

Tho  death  should  come  thru  mortal  strife, 

The  soul  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life. 
130 


THE  LORD'S  DAY 
Rev.  i  :  10 

Sweet  day  of  peaceful,  sacred  rest, 

After  a  stormy  night, 
With  joy  exultant  in  my  breast, 

I  hail  thy  dawning  light. 

May  no  disturbing,  sinful'  thought 

Invade  its  tranquil  hours  ; 
Instead  may  strength  again  be  brought 

To  my  enfeebled  powers. 

May  worship's  holy  incense  fill 

The  temple  of  my  heart, 
And  zeal  to  do  God's  perfect  will 

The  Lord  anew  impart. 

May  every  moment  as  it  flies 

Bear  messages  of  love 
To  Him  who  hears  our  faintest  cries, 

Ruling  in  grace  above. 

Thus  may  each  Sabbath  be  a  day 

Of  fellowship  serene, 
With  Him,  the  Life,  the  Truth,  the  Way- 

The  lowly  Nazarene. 


THE  NEW  NAME 
Rev.  2:  17 

Not  in  the  crowd,  not  in  the  throng, 
That  supplicate  with  voice  subdued, 

Or  lift  acclaims  of  joy  and  song, 
But  in  the  mountain  solitude 
Can  mortal  find  the  highest  good. 


Not  in  the  winds  that  shout  aloud 
The  terrors  of  the  mighty  One, 

Not  in  the  lightning-riven  cloud, 
Nor  in  the  thunder's  deafening  tone, 
But  in  the  secret  place  alone. 

As  Moses  gazed  upon  the  bush, 

The  new  name  syllabled  in  fire 
Was  breathed  to  him  in  twilight's  hush, 

That  led,  impelled  him  to  aspire 

To  lofty  peaks  of  soul  desire. 

Elijah  never  knew,  until 

He  sat  beneath  the  lonely  tree, 

And  in  his  being  felt  the  thrill, 
The  still  voice  of  Infinity, 
That  answered  his  despairing  plea. 

Mid  deserts  of  Arabia, 

In  intercession's  holy  hour, 

To  Paul  the  herald  of  the  Way, 
Was  given  the  talisman  of  power, 
That  made  earth's  kings  and  rulers  cower. 

While  in  the  Chapel  Francis  knelt, 
In  gloomy  stillness  of  the  night, 

The  Presence  heavenly  he  felt, 

With  book  of  life  in  hand  to  write 
His  name  in  characters  of  light. 

A  Kempis  heard,  in  cloistered  cell, 
The  incommunicable  name, 

In  meditation's  quiet  spell;     -..  - 
Without  the  rush  of  wind  it  came, 
But  speaking  with  a  tongue  of  flame. 

When  climbing  sadly  on  his  knees 
The  stairway  trod  by  One  who  knew 

All  human  sorrows,  Luther  sees, 

Visioned  thru  Me,  truths  old  and  new, 
Long  hid  by  hand  of  priest  from  view. 
132 


While  lying  in  the  prison's  gloom 
To  Bunyan  stole  the  silent  speech 

Unheard  beyond  his  narrow  room, 
That  gave  him  kingly  power  to  teach 
The  truth  to  mankind's  utmost  reach. 

In  loneliness  is  only  given 
The  mystic  sign,  by  Spirit  shown, 

The  mystery  of  earth  and  heaven, 
The  secret  name,  on  crystal  stone, 
Revealed  to  prostrate  souls  alone. 


JESUS  AT  THE  DOOR 
Rev.  3 : 20 

Now,  and  evermore, 
Stands  He  at  the  door; 
Heed  his  gentle  knock  to-day; 
Do  not  grieve  him  with  delay, 
And  the  chambers  of  thy  soul  He'll  fill 
With  His  heavenly  peace,  to  men  good  will. 

Choose  the  better  part; 
Let  Him  in  thy  heart ; 
He  will  cleanse  thee  from  all  wrong, 
Turn  thy  sorrow  into  song; 
Take  His  cup  of  blessing,  sup  with  Him 
Wine  ambrosial  from  its  chrismal  rim. 

Patiently  He  waits 
At  thy  prison  gates; 
He  will  give  thee  liberty, 
And  thy  darkness  all  shall  flee; 
Walk  thou  in  His  light,  and  thou  shalt  find 
Freedom  from  all  maladies  of  mind. 

133 


He  is  ever  near, 
To  allay  all  fear, 
With  the  word  that  opened  ears 
To  the  music  of  the  spheres ; 
With  the  healing  touch  that  wakened  eyes 
To  the  splendors  of  the  earth  and  skies. 

Nearer  than  thy  hands, 
Or  thy  feet,  He  stands, 
To  bestow  unbounded  wealth — 
Purity  and  joy  and  health, 
Make  thy  heart  a  temple  and  a  home 
For  the  lost  that  on  the  mountains  roam. 

With  Him  as  thy  guest, 
Thou  shalt  find  sweet  rest, 
Rest  that  heals  the  troubled  soul, 
Makes  the  wounded  spirit  whole ; 
Gives  thee  strength  to  do  thy  Master's  will, 
Fits  thee  some  great  mission  to  fulfill. 

Nothing  can  thee  harm, 
Shielded  by  His  arm; 
Worlds  He  holds  to  orbits  true ; 
Why  not  let  Him  rule  in  you  ? 
He  will  make  of  thee  a  guiding  star 
For  wrecked  lives  adrift  on  seas  afar. 

In  thy  life,  at  death, 
Nearer  than  thy  breath, 
Is  the  One  thy  soul  redeems, 
Fills  thee  with  immortal  dreams, 
Lifts  thee,  like  a  lily,  from  the  sod, 
To  enrich  the  Paradise  of  God. 


134 


THE  LAMB  OF  GOD 
Rev.  13 : 8 

I  stand  outside  the  city  gate, 
And  see  on  brows  the  scowl  of  hate; 
I  hear  the  hammer's  heavy  stroke 
On  nails  that  pierce  a  heart  of  oak. 

I  see  the  bleeding  hands  and  feet, 
The  face  so  sad,  so  strangely  sweet; 
I  hear  the  words  so  kind,  so  few — 
"Forgive,  they  know  not  what  they  do." 

When  faints  and  dies  this  righteous  One, 
In  darkness  hides  the  noonday's  sun, 
And  nature  writhes  as  if  in  pain, 
For  innocency  foully  slain. 

Is  there  but  one  Mount  Calvary, 
Whereon  a  cross  is  lifted  high  ? 
In  all  the  ages,  lands  and  climes, 
Man  reenacts  this  crime  of  crimes. 

The  soul  that  stands  for  God,  for  truth, 
Must  pay  the  penalty,  in  ruth, 
On  gibbet,  rack,  or  burning  pyre, 
In  faith  triumphant  there  expire. 

Rebuke  a  Pharisee  or  king, 
Denounce  their  sin,  at  once  upspring 
A  sect,  clothed  in  religion's  stole, 
That  has  the  mob  in  full  control. 

Again  they  shout  the  old,  old  cry, 
"Away  with  him,"  and  "Crucify," 
And  thus  the  Lamb,  beneath  all  skies, 
Is  in  perpetual  sacrifice. 

135 


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